Featured Publications
Revisiting the Role of the Medial Temporal Lobe in Motor Learning
McDougle SD, Wilterson SA, Turk-Browne NB, Taylor JA. Revisiting the Role of the Medial Temporal Lobe in Motor Learning. Journal Of Cognitive Neuroscience 2022, 34: 532-549. PMID: 34942649, PMCID: PMC8832157, DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01809.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial temporal lobeMotor learningMemory processesMemory systemTemporal lobeImplicit memory systemDeclarative memory processesMultiple memory systemsAction-outcome associationsMotor learning tasksFlexible action selectionMTL damageDeclarative memoryPsychological mechanismsNeural correlatesSelection deficitsLearning taskAction selectionMotor skillsTaxonomic modelMotor performanceAge-matched controlsAmnesicsPrevious findingsLearningDissociable cognitive strategies for sensorimotor learning
McDougle S, Taylor J. Dissociable cognitive strategies for sensorimotor learning. Nature Communications 2019, 10: 40. PMID: 30604759, PMCID: PMC6318272, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07941-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive strategiesMotor learningDistinct cognitive representationTime pressureSensorimotor transformation taskHuman motor learningStimulus-response contingenciesMemory representationsCognitive representationsDistribution of movementDistal goalsTask complexitySensorimotor learningBehavioral flexibilityTransformation taskVisual targetsGeneralization experimentsMovement planReaction timeTransfer effectsDownstream consequencesLearningResponse cachingRepresentationTaskExecutive Function Assigns Value to Novel Goal-Congruent Outcomes
McDougle SD, Ballard IC, Baribault B, Bishop SJ, Collins AGE. Executive Function Assigns Value to Novel Goal-Congruent Outcomes. Cerebral Cortex 2021, 32: 231-247. PMID: 34231854, PMCID: PMC8634563, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab205.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReward circuitExecutive controlHuman reinforcementPrefrontal correlatesInstrumental learningFunctional neuroimagingNovel outcomesHigh-level representationSecondary reinforcerPrefrontal cortexMaterial rewardsSame circuitryDopaminergic circuitsNovel imageAssigns valueReward functionRewardNeuroimagingLow-level responsesComputational modelingFlexible responseReinforcersLearningCorrelatesCortexCredit assignment in movement-dependent reinforcement learning
McDougle S, Boggess M, Crossley M, Parvin D, Ivry R, Taylor J. Credit assignment in movement-dependent reinforcement learning. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2016, 113: 6797-6802. PMID: 27247404, PMCID: PMC4914179, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1523669113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCredit assignment problemKey pressesMovement errorsExplicit senseTwo-armed bandit taskReward prediction errorKey-press conditionDecision-making taskAbsence of rewardReinforcement learningBandit taskImplicit influenceVisual cuesMotor executionMotor competenceReinforcement modelSuch tasksCredit assignmentActual movementTaskGating hypothesisImplicit representationRewardLearningError signal
2024
Fundamental processes in sensorimotor learning: Reasoning, refinement, and retrieval
Tsay J, Kim H, McDougle S, Taylor J, Haith A, Avraham G, Krakauer J, Collins A, Ivry R. Fundamental processes in sensorimotor learning: Reasoning, refinement, and retrieval. ELife 2024, 13: e91839. PMID: 39087986, PMCID: PMC11293869, DOI: 10.7554/elife.91839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensorimotor learningMotor learningAction-outcome relationshipsContribution of explicit strategiesSensorimotor learning tasksConscious awarenessCognitive parametersMotor goalsLearning tasksSensorimotorExplicit strategiesLearningControl policiesMotorRetrievalCognitionComplex movementsFrameworkTaskTheoretical frameworkSophisticated modelsDevelopment of sophisticated models
2023
Metacognitive judgments during visuomotor learning reflect the integration of error history
Hewitson C, Al-Fawakhiri N, Forrence A, McDougle S. Metacognitive judgments during visuomotor learning reflect the integration of error history. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2023, 130: 264-277. PMID: 37377281, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00022.2023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConfidence judgmentsMetacognitive judgmentsMotor learningMotor errorsVisuomotor learningHigher-order cognitionMetacognitive confidence judgmentsRange of tasksMetacognitive representationExplicit motorNeural studiesComputational modeling approachOwn abilityEnvironmental volatilityPeople's confidenceJudgmentsMotor controlLearning environmentLearningConfidence estimatesDescriptive modelError historyComputational modelingError costsCognition
2021
Post-error Slowing During Instrumental Learning is Shaped by Working Memory-based Choice Strategies
McDougle SD. Post-error Slowing During Instrumental Learning is Shaped by Working Memory-based Choice Strategies. Neuroscience 2021, 486: 37-45. PMID: 34695537, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.10.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPost-error slowingPost-error processingDistinct neural correlatesMemory-based strategyMedial prefrontal cortexProgress of learningMultiple distinct processesExecutive resourcesWorking memoryNeural signaturesNeural correlatesCognitive loadVisuomotor skillsReinforcement learning systemTask performanceInstrumental learningPrefrontal cortexHigh load conditionsSensorimotor regionsMemoryChoice strategiesDistinct processesComputational modelLearningLearning systemProlonged response time helps eliminate residual errors in visuomotor adaptation
Langsdorf L, Maresch J, Hegele M, McDougle SD, Schween R. Prolonged response time helps eliminate residual errors in visuomotor adaptation. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 2021, 28: 834-844. PMID: 33483935, PMCID: PMC8219572, DOI: 10.3758/s13423-020-01865-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpeed-accuracy tradeoffAdaptation taskCognitive strategiesMotor planningExplicit re-aiming strategiesVisuomotor adaptation taskProlonged response timeAttentional reorientingImplicit learningObligatory computationVisuomotor adaptationVisual targetsMovement planningPersistent curiosityAsymptotic learningIncomplete learningMovement startTaskParticipantsLearningLast experimentResponse timeWaiting periodIncomplete adaptationMovement intent
2020
The role of executive function in shaping reinforcement learning
Rmus M, McDougle S, Collins A. The role of executive function in shaping reinforcement learning. Current Opinion In Behavioral Sciences 2020, 38: 66-73. PMID: 35194556, PMCID: PMC8859995, DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.10.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExecutive functionRL computationsImportance of EFBrain executive functionsReinforcement learning modelOne-shot learningAspects of learningInstrumental behaviorTask informationHuman decisionNeural computationLearningSophisticated aspectsLearning modelReinforcement learningImportant implicationsRecent findingsComplex environmentsBrainAspectsRL algorithmBehaviorTheoryDecisionsImplicationsModeling the influence of working memory, reinforcement, and action uncertainty on reaction time and choice during instrumental learning
McDougle SD, Collins AGE. Modeling the influence of working memory, reinforcement, and action uncertainty on reaction time and choice during instrumental learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 2020, 28: 20-39. PMID: 32710256, PMCID: PMC7854965, DOI: 10.3758/s13423-020-01774-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInstrumental learningInstrumental learning processesReaction time effectsStages of learningDegree of deliberationReward contingenciesPerceptual evidenceParsimonious accountTask complexityInternal representationAction uncertaintyUnique predictionDecision dynamicsAction valuesPast experienceLearning processReaction timeMemoryLearningProcess modelTime effectsTaskDecision-making frameworkContingenciesPrior uncertainty
2016
Taking Aim at the Cognitive Side of Learning in Sensorimotor Adaptation Tasks
McDougle S, Ivry R, Taylor J. Taking Aim at the Cognitive Side of Learning in Sensorimotor Adaptation Tasks. Trends In Cognitive Sciences 2016, 20: 535-544. PMID: 27261056, PMCID: PMC4912867, DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensorimotor adaptation taskAdaptation taskError-based learningMultiple learning processesGoal-oriented behaviorCurrent computational modelsCognitive strategiesCognitive sideSensorimotor learningConjoint impactNew work pointsMotor commandsLearning processComputational modelLearningTaskAutomatic mannerMultiple processesSensorimotorRecent workWork pointsResearchBehaviorProcess
2015
Explicit and Implicit Processes Constitute the Fast and Slow Processes of Sensorimotor Learning
McDougle S, Bond K, Taylor J. Explicit and Implicit Processes Constitute the Fast and Slow Processes of Sensorimotor Learning. Journal Of Neuroscience 2015, 35: 9568-9579. PMID: 26134640, PMCID: PMC4571499, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5061-14.2015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImplicit processesSensorimotor learningImplicit learningMotor learningPutative psychological mechanismsComputational modeling analysisMultiplicity of processesExplicit learningPsychological mechanismsMotor memoryNeural substratesTask performanceSensorimotor tasksModeling analysisLearning processLearningLearning operationDistinct manifestationsMemoryRecent evidenceSensorimotorWide netTaskPopular modelsLearning curve