A reward effect on memory retention, consolidation, and generalization?

Abstract

Reward improves memory through both encoding and consolidation processes. In this preregistered study, we tested whether reward effects on memory generalize from high-rewarded items to low-rewarded but episodically related items. Fifty-nine human volunteers incidentally encoded associations between unique objects and repeated scenes. Some scenes typically yielded high reward, whereas others typically yielded low reward. Memory was tested immediately after encoding (n = 29) or the next day (n = 30). Overall, reward had only a limited influence on memory. It did not enhance consolidation and its effect did not generalize to episodically related stimuli. We thus contribute to understanding the boundary conditions of reward effects on memory.