Learning and Memory

A bio-sketch
 A bio-sketch
Bachelor Master Ph.D.
2002-2006 2006-2009 2009-2014

Post-doc Present
2014-2016
Research Interests

Memory

Sleep

Well-Being
Language Acquisition
Skill Learning: I know Kung Fu
Emotional Memory
Long-Term Memory
 Learning & Memory

Methods

A system view

A process view

Remembering and Forgetting

 Observing Brain Activity

Functional Magnetic Resonance Image fMRI

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Lesion
 Brain Stimulation

Brain Stimulation, magnetic, electrical, optogenetics

 Stimulating Brain to Improve Learning

Wang et al., 2014, Science

 Stimulating Brain to Improve Learning

Wang et al., 2014, Science

 Optogenetics to manipulate memory

“…direct activation of dentate gyrus

engram cells associated with a positive
memory offers a potential
therapeutic node for alleviating a subset
of depression-related behaviours and,
more generally, that directly activating
endogenous neuronal processes may be
an effective means to correct
maladaptive behaviours.”

Ramirez et al., 2015, Nature

Neuroscience Tools
 Learning & Memory

Methods

A system view

A process view

Remembering and Forgetting

Memory: A Multisystem View
Implicit and Explicit memory systems
Memory: A Multisystem View
Implicit and Explicit memory systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkaXNvzE4pk
 Memory: A Multisystem View
Implicit and Explicit memory systems

Performance improves without being aware of the learning episodes

Implicit memory: Improved Performance

Explicit memory: Whether we can consciously remember the learning
episodes
Memory: A Multisystem View
 Learning & Memory

Methods

A system view

A process view

Remembering and Forgetting

 Learning & Memory

Encoding Consolidation

Sensory Short-term Long-term

Input Memory Memory

Retrieval
 Learning & Memory

Encoding Consolidation

Sensory Short-term Long-term

Input Memory Memory

Retrieval
 Subsequent Memory Paradigm

Paller & Wagner, 2002, Trends Cog Sci

Paller et al., 1988, Biological Psychology
 Using Subsequent Memory Paradigm to
Understand Memory Formation

Guo et al., 2004, Neuroscience Letter

 Using Subsequent Memory Paradigm to
Understand False Memory

Paller & Wagner, 2002, Trends Cog Sci

 Learning & Memory

Encoding Consolidation

Sensory Short-term Long-term

Input Memory Memory

Retrieval
 Retrieval: Testing Effect

What is your favourite study strategy?

What is your most frequently used strategy?
Retrieval: Testing Effect
 Retrieval: Testing Effect

Study Study Study Study Study Study

Study Test Study Study Study Test
Study Test Test Test
Retrieval induced fast consolidation
Learning & Memory
 Learning & Memory

Encoding Consolidation

Sensory Short-term Long-term

Input Memory Memory

Retrieval
 Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation

Jenkins & Dallenbach, 1922

Sleep Stages
Sleep Across Development
Sleep Across Development
 Sleep mediated Consolidation

Sleep (vs. wake) consolidates memories,

mediated by sleep-specific neural activities

Born & Wilhelm, 2012, Psychol Res.

 Learning & Memory

Encoding Consolidation

Sensory Short-term Long-term

Input Memory Memory

Retrieval

Remembering vs. Forgetting

Motivated Forgetting
 Motivated Forgetting

Blessed are the forgetful:

for they get the better even for their blunders.
---- Friedrich Nietzsche
Unsuccessful Successful
PTSD Regulating emotion

Depression Preserving self-image

Anxiety Facilitating forgiveness

Insomnia rumination, excessive worries,

flashbacks, intrusive thoughts

Anderson & Hanslmayr, 2014, Trends Cogn. Sci.

Hu et al., 2017. Current Directions in Psy Sci
Motivated Forgetting
 Motivated Forgetting

Kouchaki & Gino, 2016, PNAS

 Suppressing Unwanted Memories

100

90

80

70

60

50

Think No-Think Baseline

Hu et al., 2017, Current Directions in Psy Sci.

 Suppressing Unwanted Memories

Hu et al., 2017, Current Directions in Psy Sci.

 Suppressing Unwanted Memories

Retrieval Suppression Baseline

Lin et al., in preparation

 Motivated Forgetting

Controlling unwanted emotional memories

 Learning & Memory

We are what we remember:

Test scores,
Preferences,
Choices,
Self-esteem,
Personality,
Mental Health,
etc