NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program–The Research Statement

Recognition memory–the ability to distinguish novel from familiar stimuli–depends not just on our past experience (or lack thereof) with a stimulus, but also on our expectations given the environmental context in which it is encountered. While the cognitive and neural mechanisms that support accurate recognition memory are somewhat understood, virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms that underlie adaptive, ‘on-the-fly’ changes in recognition bias (i.e., the willingness to claim that something has been previously experienced). This is curious given that expectations and environmental context are known to bias recognition decisions. For example, during eyewitness identification, sequential lineup presentation leads to more conservative recognition bias (and thus fewer false convictions) than does simultaneous presentation. Furthermore, older adults tend to be more cautious and less willing to alter their decision strategies, even when it would be advantageous. There is, therefore, a critical need to identify the cognitive and neural mechanisms that contribute to adaptive bias in recognition memory. In the absence of such knowledge, the development of effective tools to diagnose and treat conditions associated with maladaptive bias in recognition memory will remain challenging.

My long-term goal is to develop a productive line of research on the theoretical and applied aspects of human memory and decision making. In doing so, I will develop expertise in my field, allowing me to make important contributes to innovation, research, and teaching. The objective of this proposal is to determine whether posterior parietal cortex (PPC) has a functional role in biasing recognition memory decisions and whether any changes in bias are reflected in pupillary dilation (an implicit measure of recognition). In order to achieve this objective, I will test the hypothesis that facilitating cortical excitability of left lateral PPC will produce greater changes in response bias when environmental cues are present, and that these changes will modulate pupillary dilation as well. This hypothesis is based on published reports, findings from my work with Dr. Elizabeth Chua, and preliminary findings from Dr. Ian Dobbins’ laboratory.

© Lisa Solinger | November, 2015

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program–The Research Statement

Recognition memory–the ability to distinguish novel from familiar stimuli–depends not just on our past experience (or lack thereof) with a stimulus, but also on our expectations given the environmental context in which it is encountered. While the cognitive and neural mechanisms that support accurate recognition memory are somewhat understood, virtually nothing is known about the mechanisms that underlie adaptive, ‘on-the-fly’ changes in recognition bias (i.e., the willingness to claim that something has been previously experienced). This is curious given that expectations and environmental context are known to bias recognition decisions. For example, during eyewitness identification, sequential lineup presentation leads to more conservative recognition bias (and thus fewer false convictions) than does simultaneous presentation. Furthermore, older adults tend to be more cautious and less willing to alter their decision strategies, even when it would be advantageous. There is, therefore, a critical need to identify the cognitive and neural mechanisms that contribute to adaptive bias in recognition memory. In the absence of such knowledge, the development of effective tools to diagnose and treat conditions associated with maladaptive bias in recognition memory will remain challenging.

My long-term goal is to develop a productive line of research on the theoretical and applied aspects of human memory and decision making. In doing so, I will develop expertise in my field, allowing me to make important contributes to innovation, research, and teaching. The objective of this proposal is to determine whether posterior parietal cortex (PPC) has a functional role in biasing recognition memory decisions and whether any changes in bias are reflected in pupillary dilation (an implicit measure of recognition). In order to achieve this objective, I will test the hypothesis that facilitating cortical excitability of left lateral PPC will produce greater changes in response bias when environmental cues are present, and that these changes will modulate pupillary dilation as well. This hypothesis is based on published reports, findings from my work with Dr. Elizabeth Chua, and preliminary findings from Dr. Ian Dobbins’ laboratory.

© Lisa Solinger | November, 2015

Lisa A. Solinger