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Translating visual information into action predictions: Statistical learning in action and nonaction contexts

Monroy, Claire D.; Gerson, Sarah A.; Hunnius, Sabine

Authors

Sarah A. Gerson

Sabine Hunnius



Abstract

Humans are sensitive to the statistical regularities in action sequences carried out by others. In the present eyetracking study, we investigated whether this sensitivity can support the prediction of upcoming actions when observing unfamiliar action sequences. In two between-subjects conditions, we examined whether observers would be more sensitive to statistical regularities in sequences performed by a human agent versus self-propelled ‘ghost’ events. Secondly, we investigated whether regularities are learned better when they are associated with contingent effects. Both implicit and explicit measures of learning were compared between agent and ghost conditions. Implicit learning was measured via predictive eye movements to upcoming actions or events, and explicit learning was measured via both uninstructed reproduction of the action sequences and verbal reports of the regularities. The findings revealed that participants, regardless of condition, readily learned the regularities and made correct predictive eye movements to upcoming events during online observation. However, different patterns of explicit-learning outcomes emerged following observation: Participants were most likely to re-create the sequence regularities and to verbally report them when they had observed an actor create a contingent effect. These results suggest that the shift from implicit predictions to explicit knowledge of what has been learned is facilitated when observers perceive another agent’s actions and when these actions cause effects. These findings are discussed with respect to the potential role of the motor system in modulating how statistical regularities are learned and used to modify behavior.

Citation

Monroy, C. D., Gerson, S. A., & Hunnius, S. (2018). Translating visual information into action predictions: Statistical learning in action and nonaction contexts. Memory and Cognition, 46(4), 600-613. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-018-0788-6

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Jan 17, 2018
Publication Date 2018-05
Deposit Date Jun 1, 2023
Journal Memory & Cognition
Print ISSN 0090-502X
Electronic ISSN 1532-5946
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 4
Pages 600-613
DOI https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-018-0788-6
Keywords Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous); Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Public URL https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/432639
Additional Information First Online: 17 January 2018