Memory as a continuation of movement: effects of auditory temporal structure on memory performance with differing cognitive loads

Abstract

The following thesis aimed to test the empirical support for an embodied memory by investigating the relationship between power-law structure in auditory stimulation, posture, and memory performance in tasks of differing cognitive load. The shared power-law framework offers a common operationalization between manipulated stimulation and measured movement. We began by manipulating power-law structure explicitly in stimulation, we then estimated the resulting power-law exponents in movement, and finally, tested for a difference in memory performance. Participants (N=36) participated in a Corsi Block tapping task with high and low load trials. While participating, they were exposed to one of three auditory stimuli with differing levels of power-law structure. Participant performance and movement were measured and analyzed using detrended fluctuation analysis. Memory performance was analyzed using a factorial ANOVA. Cognitive load had a main effect on memory performance, but all other differences were nonsignificant. Future work may need to account for the multitude of power laws throughout the body that may moderate the response to power-law structure in stimulation. Keywords: scale invariance, Corsi block tapping task, memory, encoding, embodiment, perception-action-cognition