Extracting the role of low-level visual features during associative learning
Words and pseudowords can be associated with emotional valence and this association is affected by semantic content. Although several findings support the idea that low-level visual features also play a role, shaping associations in the early visual cortex through its plasticity, there is no direct evidence disentangling effects of visual features from other variables. This project aims to directly address this question by associating textual stimuli with no semantic content (i.e. pseudowords) with positive or negative valence. It further explores the potential role of other variables, as the phonological accessibility of the stimuli and the different scales at which low-level visual features can be manipulated. Finally, through recording EEG, the project aims to investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of neural activity during associative learning.
Methods
EEG, learning paradigm
Publications
Grassi, F., Semmelhack, E. A., Ruge, J. & Schacht, A. (2023). On the dynamics of gain and loss: Electrophysiological evidence from associative learning. Biological Psychology, 108588.
Kulke, L., Bayer, M., Grimm, A. M., & Schacht, A. (2019). Differential effects of learned associations with words and pseudowords on event-related brain potentials. Neuropsychologia, 124, 182-191.
Bayer, M., Grass, A., & Schacht, A. (2018). Associated valence impacts early visual processing of letter strings: Evidence from ERPs in a cross-modal learning paradigm. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 19, 98-108.
Contact