Featured Publications
Continuous manipulation of mental representations is compromised in cerebellar degeneration
McDougle SD, Tsay JS, Pitt B, King M, Saban W, Taylor JA, Ivry RB. Continuous manipulation of mental representations is compromised in cerebellar degeneration. Brain 2022, 145: 4246-4263. PMID: 35202465, PMCID: PMC10200308, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac072.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCerebellar DiseasesCerebellumCognitionHumansMemory, Short-TermMental RecallNeurodegenerative DiseasesConceptsDisorder groupMental representationsMental operationsVisual working memorySingle-digit additionPerformance of individualsMental workspaceWorking memoryCognitive tasksMemory retrievalVisual cognitionMental rotationNeuropsychological experimentsMathematical cognitionScanning itemsArithmetic taskCognitionDisparate domainsDegenerative cerebellar disordersMotor controlVisual representationTaskContinuous manipulationCerebellar disordersIterative manipulationDissociable 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultCognitionFemaleHumansLearningMaleMemory, Short-TermMotor SkillsReaction TimeTask Performance and AnalysisTime FactorsYoung AdultConceptsCognitive 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 cachingRepresentationTask
2024
Dissociable Codes in Motor Working Memory
Hillman H, Botthof T, Forrence A, McDougle S. Dissociable Codes in Motor Working Memory. Psychological Science 2024, 35: 150-161. PMID: 38236687, DOI: 10.1177/09567976231221756.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWorking memoryInterfering movementsVisuospatial working memory loadWorking memory loadWorking memory subsystemsVarying cognitive loadMemory loadAbstract codeMotor informationSkill learningSensory domainsDegree of interferenceBehavioral controlMWMCognitive loadRepresentation formatComputational structureMemoryCodeTaskMemory subsystemMotorParticipantsDomain
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsConditioning, OperantHumansLearningMemory, Short-TermReaction TimeReinforcement, PsychologyConceptsPost-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 system
2020
Modeling 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsChoice BehaviorHumansMemory, Short-TermModels, PsychologicalReaction TimeReinforcement, PsychologyUncertaintyConceptsInstrumental 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