内隐序列学习与注意负荷关系的实验研究

Attentional load has no Effect on Implicit Sequence Learning: Evidence from Event-Related Potential Studies

采用2(注意负荷:高、低)单因素被试内实验设计,以18名在校大学生为被试,运用行为实验及事件相关电位技术,对内隐序列学习是否需要注意负荷的参与进行实验研究。结果发现:(1)在高、低注意负荷条件下都出现了内隐序列学习效应;(2)高注意负荷序列探测刺激诱发的P1、N1波幅显著大于低注意负荷序列探测刺激诱发的,表明高注意负荷条件下需要更多的注意;(3)高、低注意负荷序列内隐序列学习量差异不显著,表明内隐序列学习不受注意负荷影响。

Cognitive psychologists have investigated the relationship between implicit sequence learning and attention for over two decades, but cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying this relationship is unclear. Some researchers suggest that implicit sequence learning requires attentional resources; Other researchers propose that implicit sequence learning is an automatic process that does not require attentional resources. Most previous studies used typical dual-task sequence learning procedure with a secondary tone-counting task. Unfortunately, there were inherent limitations in the secondary task used in the dual task sequence learning experiments which might make the relationship between implicit sequence learning and attention obscure. So we used a new method to explore the relationship between implicit sequence learning and attention, we manipulated the distinctness of stimulus. We hypothesized that there were sequence learning effect in both high attentional load sequence and low attentional load sequence; The amplitude of P1 and N1 evoked by detected stimulus of high attentional sequence was bigger than low attentional sequence; There were no significant difference in implicit sequence learning scores between high attentional load sequence and low attentional load sequence. Eighteen volunteers from University took part in this experiment, they were instructed to make a compatible key press to the letter as soon as possible, the response accuracy was also stressed. The EEG was recorded from 64 scalp sites using Ag/AgCl electrodes. Signals were averaged offline for 600ms with an additional 100ms recorded prior to stimulus onset to allow for baseline correction. The ERP were averaged separately for high attentional load and low attentional load detected trials. Peak amplitude values were computed for 80-120ms（P1）; 130-170ms（N1） time intervals, time locked to detected stimulus onset（time 0）, these ERP measures were obtained from eight electrodes： 01、O2、PO3、PO4、PO5、PO6、PO7、PO8. A repeated measures AVOVA on the peak amplitude of each component was conducted. The results were as follows： （1） There were sequence learning effect in both high attentional load sequence and low attentional load sequence;（2）The amplitude of P1 and N1 evoked by detected stimulus of high attentional sequence was bigger than low attentional sequence, which indicated more attention was needed in high attentional sequence condition. （3）There were no significant difference in implicit sequence learning scores between high attentional load sequence and low attentional load sequence. These results suggested attentional load has no effect on implicit sequence learning.