Psychology

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.

Ed Silson

Human cognitive neuroscience

 

Nov 02 2016 -

Human cognitive neuroscience seminar

02 Nov 2016: The cognitive mechanisms of instruction-guided behaviour (or, why some children are much better than others at doing as they are told!)

Room G32, Psychology Building, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ