Abstract
Perceptual training is generally assumed to improve perception by modifying the encoding or decoding of sensory information. However, this assumption is incompatible with recent demonstrations that transfer of learning can be enhanced by across-trial variation of training stimuli or task. Here we present three lines of evidence from healthy adults in support of the idea that the enhanced transfer of auditory discrimination learning is mediated by working memory (WM). First, the ability to discriminate small differences in tone frequency or duration was correlated with WM measured with a tone n-back task. Second, training frequency discrimination around a variable frequency transferred to and from WM learning, but training around a fixed frequency did not. The transfer of learning in both directions was correlated with a reduction of the influence of stimulus variation in the discrimination task, linking WM and its improvement to across-trial stimulus interaction in auditory discrimination. Third, while WM training transferred broadly to other WM and auditory discrimination tasks, variable-frequency training on duration discrimination did not improve WM, indicating that stimulus variation challenges and trains WM only if the task demands stimulus updating in the varied dimension. The results provide empirical evidence as well as a theoretic framework for interactions between cognitive and sensory plasticity during perceptual experience.
Highlights
Perceptual learning, the improvement of perception with experience, is typically specific to the trained task and stimuli and rarely transfers to untrained ones [1, 2]
We demonstrated that 1) auditory discrimination is related to working memory (WM) updating, 2) WM training can improve auditory discrimination and, 3) auditory discrimination training can improve WM, but only with stimulus variations along the task relevant dimension
These results fit the predictions of our proposal that WM mediates across-trial stimulus interaction in auditory discrimination and contributes to discrimination learning when training with varied standard stimuli
Summary
Perceptual learning, the improvement of perception with experience, is typically specific to the trained task and stimuli and rarely transfers to untrained ones [1, 2]. Improvements in the ability to resist interference should benefit auditory discrimination with a varying, but not with a constant standard stimulus, because memory interferences compromise performance in the former but not the latter case. Training discrimination with the standard varying in the task relevant dimension should engage WM updating processes and may improve WM. Training discrimination with a constant standard, or with stimulus variations irrelevant to the training task, is unlikely to challenge and to improve WM updating. Some of these predictions receive limited support from existing literature. The results of multiple training experiments support the proposal that WM mediates the effect of across-trial stimulus variation in auditory training
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
