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The neural representation of semantic granularity: does inducing retrieval of different semantic levels influence memory reactivation?

Qi, Xiaoxi (2023) The neural representation of semantic granularity: does inducing retrieval of different semantic levels influence memory reactivation? Undergraduate Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Our knowledge of a concept can be represented at multiple levels of semantic granularity - from item-specific perceptual features to contextual meaning. We can access our memory for a concept through different levels. In this study, we asked if reactivating a concept through different granularities affects how it is later neurally retrieved. We used fMRI to measure brain activity as people encoded, restudied, and then retrieved pairs of novel words and object images. Each pairing was restudied through a question drawing on one of three semantic levels: item, category, or theme, before the object was later recognized from lures similar in identity and visual angle. We found that recognition-associated activity in a hypothesized region of interest, left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, was significantly greater for pairings that had been restudied at the theme, compared to item, level. Activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus, ventral temporal cortex, and middle occipital gyrus, was also affected by the prior restudy. These findings suggest the level of semantic granularity invoked during active restudy can influence subsequent memory reactivation. Future work will use multivariate approaches to study this data further.

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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Qi, Xiaoxixiq26@pitt.eduxiq26
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Thesis AdvisorCoutanche, Marcmarc.coutanche@pitt.edumarc.coutanche
Committee MemberFiez, Juliefiez@pitt.edufiez
Committee MemberNokes-Malach, Timothynokes@pitt.edunokes
Committee MemberRitchey, Maureenmaureen.ritchey@bc.eduN/A
Date: 24 April 2023
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 5 December 2022
Approval Date: 24 April 2023
Submission Date: 19 April 2023
Access Restriction: 2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years.
Number of Pages: 38
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: David C. Frederick Honors College
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology
Degree: BPhil - Bachelor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Undergraduate Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Semantic granularity, fMRI, memory reactivation
Date Deposited: 24 Apr 2023 18:05
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2023 18:05
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/44629

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