Human cognitive neuroscience seminar
Speaker: Dr Agnieszka Jaroslawska
Topic: The cognitive mechanisms of instruction-guided behaviour (or, why some children are much better than others at doing as they are told!)
Abstract: The ability to perform actions to instruction has remarkable practical relevance for learning across the lifespan. Contexts as varied as classroom education, learning to drive, or using new technologies all require the encoding, retention, and execution of instructed action steps. To date, studies of instruction-guided behaviour have recognised a vital role for working memory in supporting the maintenance of the content of instructions as they are performed. Research has also demonstrated that the recall of instructions can be enhanced by physical movement. However, the precise cognitive mechanisms underpinning the advantages afforded by physical action remain elusive. In this talk, I will present several experiments conducted during my PhD which aimed to identify the source of action benefits in following instructions and to clarify how practical commands are maintained in working memory more generally.
Contact
The seminars are organised by the Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group. For further information, or if you would like to join the e-mail list for these seminars, please email Ed Silson.
Human cognitive neuroscience seminar
Room G32, Psychology Building, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ