from Dept of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) guest by Dr. Lluis Fuentemilla
Learning in a virtual world: Exploring the cognitive and neural mechanisms of contextual influences on memory
As we learn, cues from our current environmental surroundings get bound to the information we are studying. The degree to which those contextual cues are present—or even re-imagined—during retrieval can be a powerful determinant of one’s ability to recall the studied information. In this talk, I will describe a series of experiments that harness the potential of virtual reality (VR) environments to provide memorable contexts during learning. The first experiment shows how distinctive VR contexts can facilitate foreign vocabulary learning by promoting long-term retention and minimizing interference. A follow-up functional MRI study measured neural signatures of context reinstatement during retrieval and demonstrates that cortical reactivation of context-specific representations can bolster recall. A final study used a VR-based implementation of the Method-of-Loci mnemonic technique to reveal the degree to which visuospatial contextual details can provide a valuable scaffolding for the memorization of non-spatial information. Taken together, these studies showcase how classic principles of learning can be merged with modern VR technology to both provide novel insights into memory mechanisms and improve learning outcomes.
We appreciate being punctual in the connection.
On this occasion, the seminar will be broadcast from the Mundet campus and we will have a hybrid version in the Brainvitge meeting room.
ZOOM LINK: https://ub-edu.zoom.us/j/91235728676
Modular Building, room 1.5
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