Memory dynamics: distance between the new task and existing behavioural patterns affects learning and interference in bimanual coordination in humans
Résumé
In order to study memory and learning dynamics, we examined the effects of the distance between a bimanual pattern to be learned, a relative phase of either 90°, 135°, or 158°, and pre-existing patterns at 0° and 180°. Learning was assessed through a practice task, memory through a synchronization-continuation task, and interference through a prompting task recalling nearby patterns. Results were that (1) interference induced a smaller decrease in accuracy and in stability for the pattern closest to the pre-existing patterns; (2) the withdrawal of the stimulus in the continuation task led to consistent changes in accuracy; and (3) learning rate was faster when the to-be-learned pattern was either far from or close to extant patterns. The findings are discussed in terms of flexibility and robustness of underlying coordination dynamics, and of neural-field dynamic models.