Systematicity and consistency in the consolidation of word knowledge
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Gaskell MG
(2014)
Sleep underpins the plasticity of language production.
in Psychological science
Mirkovic J
(2016)
Does Sleep Improve Your Grammar? Preferential Consolidation of Arbitrary Components of New Linguistic Knowledge.
in PloS one
Mirkovic J
(2019)
The role of complementary learning systems in learning and consolidation in a quasi-regular domain.
in Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior
| Description | Through a series of seven studies we have achieved the two main objectives of the grant: First, we have tested and further developed the Complementary Learning Systems model of memory and consolidation, and second, we have added a crucial new dimension to the models of language learning and use. Specifically, and consistent with the predictions of the CLS model, we have discovered that sleep-related consolidation is particularly beneficial for the learning of new arbitrary mappings and plays little or no role in the consolidation of new systematic mappings or new mappings consistent with the existing knowledge. In our studies we used carefully designed language materials that incorporated crucial properties of natural languages, allowing us to test the role of memory consolidation processes under various circumstances in language learning. For example, in one study we used novel words that mimicked properties of grammatical gender systems of natural languages, and we manipulated systematicity and arbitrariness within the same set of items. We discovered that when learning a novel set of mappings, unrelated to existing knowledge, sleep-related consolidation improved the memory of the arbitrary aspects of the novel words, but not their systematic (grammatical) aspects. In a different study, we used the English past tense to examine the influence of the consistency of the new with the existing knowledge in learning and consolidation of the novel forms, which resembled the existing English past tense forms to different degrees. In this study, we discovered that new forms consistent with the existing knowledge were easier to acquire, and the memory for those forms changed little over time. However, the new forms which were inconsistent with the existing knowledge were more difficult to acquire, and moreover the consolidation of the memory for these forms benefitted most from sleep-related strengthening. In summary, we have refined our understanding of the role of sleep in learning different types of linguistic materials, and in ongoing data analyses we are working on identifying specific properties of sleep which play a role in supporting new mapping inconsistent with the existing knowledge. In another ongoing study we are extending these findings to the spelling-sound domain. During the grant, we have established several new collaborations which will allow us to extend this research into new domains. In collaboration with colleagues from MRC CBU we are developing a study to investigate the neural underpinnings of the sleep-related consolidation of new arbitrary mappings. We have also established a collaboration with developmental psychologists and we are currently extending the studies from the grant to explore developmental differences in the role of sleep related consolidation in learning new systematic and arbitrary mappings. |
| Exploitation Route | In collaboration with colleagues from the Donders Institute (Netherlands), University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and University of Freiburg (Germany) we have submitted a grant aimed to develop systems to aid second language learning during sleep. |
| Sectors | Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
| Description | As described in our proposal we see our research as primarily fundamental science, with potential medium to long-term societal impact. At the moment we are concentrating on completing the write-up of research articles. We are also pursuing a collaboration with a group in Cambridge related to this research and are part of a consortium with an EU ORA application under consideration related to further scientific developments of the ideas in this grant. |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |