Hansen-Manguikian, Lauren (2022) Investigating a Neural Correlate of Attention as a Metric of Learning. Research Project 2 (major thesis), Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences.
|
Text
mBCN_2022_LaurenHansenManguikian.pdf Download (24MB) | Preview |
|
![[img]](https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (124kB) |
Abstract
Forming associations between two stimuli, such as a word and its definition, make up a large part of the human learning experience. Our current methods for assessing learning are primarily behavioral (e.g. tests). Here we investigate attention as a possible metric for assessing learning. Research has shown that our attention is easily biased towards the current content of our thoughts, working memory, and anything closely related to that content. It follows that thinking about one object should bias attention towards a related object if an association has been formed between the two. Here we measure attentional bias over the course of an associative learning task. This study aims to use EEG to answer the question: can we use neural correlates of attention to probe the strength of associations stored in memory? Attention was assessed using the N2pc, an event related potential that has been found to reflect the amount and time course of visual attention on an object. Participants engaged in an hour-long learning task in which they form associations between three letter airport codes (e.g., AMS) and their corresponding runway layouts. Neural data of twelve participants were measured using a 64-electrode equidistant EEG system. Results show an increase in the N2pc amplitude as the association between the two stimuli strengthens over the course of the experiment. The onset of the N2pc did not show a significant trend with increased learning. Future applications of this research
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Project 2 (major thesis)) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Berg, B. van den and Akyurek, E.G. and Kandemir, G. and Rijn, D.H. van |
| Degree programme: | Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences |
| Thesis type: | Research Project 2 (major thesis) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Nov 2022 09:50 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Nov 2022 09:50 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/28928 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |