TY - JOUR
T1 - Memory in motion
T2 - Movement dynamics reveal memory strength
AU - Papesh, Megan H.
AU - Goldinger, Stephen
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by NIDCD Grant R01-DC04535-11, awarded to S. D. Goldinger. We thank Tresa Marchi, Melissa Miola, Suhani Mehrotra, and Rachelle Friedman for their assistance with data collection.
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - Recognition memory is typically examined as a discrete end-state, describable by static variables, such as accuracy, response time, and confidence. In the present study, we combined real-time mouse-tracking with subsequent, overt confidence estimates to examine the dynamic nature of memory decisions. By examining participants' streaming x-, y- mouse coordinates during recognition decisions, we observed that movement trajectories revealed underlying response confidence. More confident decisions were associated with shorter decision times and more linear response trajectories. Less confident decisions were made slowly, with increased trajectory curvature. Statistical indices of curvature and decision times, including area-under-the-curve and time to maximum deviation, suggested that memory strength relates to response dynamics. Whether participants were correct or incorrect, old responses showed a stronger correspondence between mouse trajectories and confidence, relative to new responses. We suggest that people subjectively experience a correspondence between feelings of memory and feelings of confidence; that subjective experience reveals itself in real-time decision processes, as suggested by sequential sampling models of recognition decisions.
AB - Recognition memory is typically examined as a discrete end-state, describable by static variables, such as accuracy, response time, and confidence. In the present study, we combined real-time mouse-tracking with subsequent, overt confidence estimates to examine the dynamic nature of memory decisions. By examining participants' streaming x-, y- mouse coordinates during recognition decisions, we observed that movement trajectories revealed underlying response confidence. More confident decisions were associated with shorter decision times and more linear response trajectories. Less confident decisions were made slowly, with increased trajectory curvature. Statistical indices of curvature and decision times, including area-under-the-curve and time to maximum deviation, suggested that memory strength relates to response dynamics. Whether participants were correct or incorrect, old responses showed a stronger correspondence between mouse trajectories and confidence, relative to new responses. We suggest that people subjectively experience a correspondence between feelings of memory and feelings of confidence; that subjective experience reveals itself in real-time decision processes, as suggested by sequential sampling models of recognition decisions.
KW - Confidence estimates
KW - Mouse-tracking
KW - Recognition memory
KW - Temporal dynamics
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U2 - 10.3758/s13423-012-0281-3
DO - 10.3758/s13423-012-0281-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 22711579
AN - SCOPUS:84866771778
SN - 1069-9384
VL - 19
SP - 906
EP - 913
JO - Psychonomic Bulletin and Review
JF - Psychonomic Bulletin and Review
IS - 5
ER -