Proactive and retroactive effects of novelty and rest on memory.

ABSTRACT: Novel experiences appear to benefit memory for unrelated information encoded shortly before or after. Other research suggests that memory is impaired by effortful tasks following encoding, compared to simply resting. This registered report explicitly tested the proactive and retroactive effects of novel exploration and wakeful rest. Four groups of participants explored a novel or familiarised virtual environment, either shortly before or shortly after encoding a list of unrelated words. A fifth 'wakeful rest' group performed a low-effort attention task before and after encoding. Memory was tested with immediate free recall, delayed (next day) free recall and delayed recognition with confidence judgements (from which recollection and familiarity were estimated). Bayes factors provided evide

SUBMITTER: Raza S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12796013 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature