Interference within hands: retrieval-induced forgetting of left and right hand movements.
We examined retrieval-induced forgetting of motor sequences that were categorized by the effectors (left or right hand) involved in their execution. This left-right categorization was independent from input locations or input devices. In addition, the acquired motor sequences were arbitrarily assigned to left and right. Participants learned twelve sequential joystick movements as responses to letter stimuli. Half of the sequences pertained to the left, half to the right hand. Subsequent retrieval-practice of half the items of one hand induced forgetting for the non-retrieved rest of the items of that hand in a final recall test. This finding demonstrates that the hands were used to organize the memory storage of motor sequences in a way that gave rise to later interference between commonly stored items, that is, linked to the same hand.
Fachbereich I - Psychologie, University of Trier, 54286 Trier, Germany. Electronic address: tempel@uni-trier.de.
Tobias
T
Tempel
Fachbereich I - Psychologie, University of Trier, 54286 Trier, Germany. Electronic address: chfrings@uni-trier.de.
Christian
C
Frings
D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*
Inhibition; Memory; Motor control