Robertson, E. M. (2018) Memory instability as a gateway to generalization. PLoS Biology, 16(3), e2004633. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2004633) (PMID:29554094) (PMCID:PMC5875887)
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Abstract
Our present frequently resembles our past. Patterns of actions and events repeat throughout our lives like a motif. Identifying and exploiting these patterns are fundamental to many behaviours, from creating grammar to the application of skill across diverse situations. Such generalization may be dependent upon memory instability. Following their formation, memories are unstable and able to interact with one another, allowing, at least in principle, common features to be extracted. Exploiting these common features creates generalized knowledge that can be applied across varied circumstances. Memory instability explains many of the biological and behavioural conditions necessary for generalization and offers predictions for how generalization is produced.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Robertson, Professor Edwin |
Authors: | Robertson, E. M. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience |
Journal Name: | PLoS Biology |
Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
ISSN: | 1544-9173 |
ISSN (Online): | 1545-7885 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2018 Edwin M. Robertson |
First Published: | First published in PLoS Biology 16(3): e2004633 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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