Aichelburg, Clarisse;
(2018)
Properties of intentions and their effects on prospective memory: behavioural and fNIRS studies.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Intentions are things we want to do in the future (e.g. post a letter). The ability that allows us to form, maintain and execute delayed intentions is referred to as prospective memory. The first aim of my research was to explore whether the lateral increase and medial decrease in prefrontal cortex activity associated with prospective memory, as demonstrated in previous neuroimaging studies, can be replicated using functional-near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Study 1 only found neural difference between intentions related to objects (non-social cues) and intentions related to faces (social cues). Study 2 also failed to replicate the lateral-medial dissociation, and was thus adapted in Study 3 to include additional within-subject factor of posture (laying down versus sitting), to account for potential differences between fMRI and fNIRS findings. The findings from Study 3 provided the first demonstration of increased lateral and decreased medial prefrontal cortex activation pattern using fNIRS. The second aim was to explore the effects of value of intentions: our motivation to fulfill delayed intentions is presumably related to the value attached to those intentions. In Experiment 1 prospective memory performance was modulated as a function of monetary value attached to two concurrent intentions. Participants performed better for high-value intentions, when compared to low- value intentions. Experiment 2 examined two other properties of value: monetary (Gain/Loss) and social framing (Self/Other). Participants either received a reward for fulfilling intentions (Gain), or incurred deductions when they failed to execute intentions (Loss). Also, participants either earned rewards for themselves (Self), or for their partner (Other). In the GainSelf and GainOther conditions, performance was better for high- versus low-value intentions, while in the LossSelf and LossOther conditions there was no difference. In sum, this dissertation showed the feasibility of using fNIRS in prospective memory research, and explored how value underlies our intentions.
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