Reversed old/new effect for intentionally forgotten words: an ERP study of directed forgetting.
The present study investigated, using the item-method directed forgetting paradigm, whether successful intentional forgetting is reflected in brain activity, as measured by ERP. We sorted the EEG data into 4 experimental conditions based on the combination of memory instruction and behavioral outcome: TBF_F (to-be-forgotten and forgotten), TBF_R (to-be-forgotten but remembered), TBR_R (to-be-remembered and remembered, i.e. hits) and correct rejections (CR). TBR_R trials elicited a typical old/new effect (approximately 500-750 ms poststimulus) over central and parietal regions. The TBF_F condition, however, elicited ERP that were more negative-going than ERP for CR (the reversed old/new effect). The latter may reflect the very effective inhibition of encoding and retrieval processes. This indicates that intentional processes leading to successful forgetting significantly influence brain activity.
Nowicka
Anna
A
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Neurophysiology, Laboratory of Psychophysiology, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland. a.nowicka@nencki.gov.pl
Jednoróg
Katarzyna
K
Wypych
Marek
M
Marchewka
Artur
A
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007802:Language; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology