Behavioral contrast in short-term memory: Serial binary memory models or parallel continuous memory models?

Author(s): Grossberg, S. |

Year: 1978

Citation: Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 3, 199-219

Abstract: This paper develops a model wherein STM primacy as well as recency effects can occur. The STM primacy effects can be used to generate correct immediate recall of short lists that have not been coded in LTM. The properties of the model are interpreted in terms of explicit neural mechanisms. The STM primacy effect is a behavioral contrast effect that is analogous to the behavioral contrast that can occur during discrimination learning. The adaptational mechanism that accounts for these effects is al50 implicated in data on reaction time, retinal adaptation, ratio scales in choice behavior, and vor. P.estorfft) Pe effects. Its ubiquitous appearance is due to the fact that it solves a univers2l problem concc~n;ng the parallel processing of patterned data b:.. noisy cells, with finitely many excitable sites. It is argued that the STM primacy effect is not measured in interferenc~ experiments because it is masked b~. competitive STM interactions. These competitive interactions do not prevent the L T~I p~.macy effect from influencing performance. The paper criticizes recent models of S1 lI that use computer analogies to justify binal"") codes, serial ST~I buffers, and serial scanning procedures. Several deficiencies of serial models in dealing with psychological and neural processing are overcome by a model in which continuous STM activities and parallel real-time operations play an important role.

Topics: Biological Learning, Models: Other,

PDF download




Cross References


  1. Contour enhancement, short-term memory, and constancies in reverberating neural networks
    A model of the nonlinear dynamics of reverberating on-center off-surround networks of nerve cells, or of cell populations, is analysed. The on-center off-surround anatomy allows patterns to be processed across populations ... Article Details

  2. Classical and instrumental learning by neural networks
    This article reviews results chosen from the theory of embedding fields. Embedding field theory discusses mechanisms of pattern discrimination and learning in a psychophysiological setting. It is derived from psychological ... Article Details

  3. Adaptive pattern classification and universal recoding: I Parallel development and coding of neural feature detectors
    This paper analyses a model for the parallel development and adult coding of neural feature detectors. The model was introduced in Grossberg (1976). We show how experience can retune feature detectors to respond to a ... Article Details

  4. Adaptive pattern classification and universal recoding: II Feedback, expectation, olfaction, illusions
    Part I of this paper describes a model for the parallel development and adult coding of neural feature detectors. It shows how any set of arbitrary spatial patterns can be recoded, or transformed, into any other spatial ... Article Details

  5. A theory of human memory: Self-organization and performance of sensory-motor codes, maps, and plans
    A psychophysiological theory of the self-organization and performance of sensory-motor codes, maps, and plans is derived herein. this general topic includes a variety of phenomena in many species, ranging from the ... Article Details