Inhibitory mechanisms in memory for action

In our every-day life we are surrounded by objects with which we have to interact. Objects, however, have different uses under different circumstances. For instance, one can use a pen to write or stir a drink. Therefore, we require a process which allows us to select the target action to be performed against a field of related, but contextually inappropriate, actions. Selecting the appropriate action for the goal at hand (ie writing a letter) requires the suppression of other potential, but contextually inappropriate, actions (ie stirring a drink) related to an object.
The proposed research will examine the role of inhibitory mechanisms in our ability to control our memory for actions using the retrieval practice paradigm. This paradigm will prompt participants to act out a subset of actions (eg, writing a letter with a pen) but not other related actions (eg, stirring a drink). Memory for all actions will be tested using methods which are sensitive to the presence of inhibition (ie, novel retrieval cues, reaction times). If inhibitory mechanisms are responsible for controlling memory for action memory should be impaired for related actions which were not themselves acted out (eg, stirring a drink).

日常生活中，我们处处可见需要与之交互的物品。然而，物品在不同情境下具有不同的用途。例如，我们既可用钢笔书写，也可用其搅拌饮品。因此，我们需要一种认知机制，能够从一系列相关但情境不适配的动作中选出目标动作。为达成当前目标（如书写信件）而选择恰当动作时，需抑制与该物品相关的其他潜在但情境不适配的动作（如搅拌饮品）。
本研究拟采用提取练习范式（retrieval practice paradigm），探究抑制机制在我们调控动作记忆能力中的作用。该范式将要求被试完成部分动作（如用钢笔书写信件），但不执行其他相关动作（如用钢笔搅拌饮品）。后续将通过对抑制效应敏感的测试方法（如新异提取线索、反应时），检验所有动作的记忆情况。若抑制机制确实参与动作记忆的调控，则未被实际执行的相关动作（如搅拌饮品）的记忆表现应会受损。