Associative Processes in Probabilistic Sequence Learning

Sequence Learning is Preserved in Individuals with Cerebellar Degeneration when the Movements are Directly Cued

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn.2009.21102 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 1302-1310 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Rebecca M. C. Spencer ◽

Richard B. Ivry

Keyword(s):

Motor Learning ◽

Sequence Learning ◽

Functional Domain ◽

Translation Process ◽

Associative Processes ◽

Stimulus Response ◽

Cerebellar Function ◽

Learning Tasks ◽

Important Constraint ◽

Behavioral Studies

Cerebellar pathology is associated with impairments on a range of motor learning tasks including sequence learning. However, various lines of evidence are at odds with the idea that the cerebellum plays a central role in the associative processes underlying sequence learning. Behavioral studies indicate that sequence learning, at least with short periods of practice, involves the establishment of effector-independent, abstract spatial associations, a form of representation not associated with cerebellar function. Moreover, neuroimaging studies have failed to identify learning-related changes within the cerebellum. We hypothesize that the cerebellar contribution to sequence learning may be indirect, related to the maintenance of stimulus–response associations in working memory, rather than through processes directly involved in the formation of sequential predictions. Consistent with this hypothesis, individuals with cerebellar pathology were impaired in learning movement sequences when the task involved a demanding stimulus–response translation. When this translation process was eliminated by having the stimuli directly indicate the response location, the cerebellar ataxia group demonstrated normal sequence learning. This dissociation provides an important constraint on the functional domain of the cerebellum in motor learning.

Download Full-text

Nonhuman sequence learning findings argue against Hoerl and McCormack's two systems of temporal cognition

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x1900044x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin J. De Corte ◽

Edward A. Wasserman

Keyword(s):

Sequence Learning ◽

Past Research ◽

Ordinal Position ◽

Temporal Cognition ◽

Two Systems

Abstract Hoerl & McCormack propose that animals learn sequences through an entrainment-like process, rather than tracking the temporal addresses of each event in a given sequence. However, past research suggests that animals form “temporal maps” of sequential events and also comprehend the concept of ordinal position. These findings suggest that a clarification or qualification of the authors’ hypothesis is needed.

Download Full-text