Jennifer Roche

Exploring Action Dynamics as an Index of Paired-Associate Learning

Much evidence exists supporting a richer interaction between cognition and action than commonly assumed. Such findings demonstrate that short-timescale processes, such as motor execution, may relate in systematic ways to longer-timescale cognitive processes, such as learning. We further substantiate one direction of this interaction: the flow of cognition into action systems. Two experiments explored match-to-sample paired-associate learning, in which participants learned randomized pairs of unfamiliar symbols. During the experiments, their hand movements were continuously tracked using the Nintendo Wiimote. Across learning, participant arm movements are initiated and completed more quickly, exhibit lower fluctuation, and exert more perturbation on the Wiimote during the button press. A second experiment demonstrated that action dynamics index novel learning scenarios, and not simply acclimatization to the Wiimote interface. Results support a graded and systematic covariation between cognition and action, and recommend ways in which this theoretical perspective may contribute to applied learning contexts.

Doubling up on double meanings: Pragmatic alignment

Garrod and Pickering (2004) maintain that conversation is easy because automatic alignment occurs at various levels during conversation. Other related theories of alignment have also been proposed for emotional/mood alignment (Hatfield, Cacioppo, & Rapson, 1994). Though there is a large literature on pragmatics in discourse, there is as of yet no experimental demonstration that this level also undergoes alignment. Two experiments test the impact of the use of indirect language by a pseudo-confederate on participant contributions to interaction. Overall, individuals coordinate during interaction at the level of pragmatics (Experiment 1), and this is not explained merely by mood inducement through content of a double meaning (Experiment 2). We discuss findings in terms of psycholinguistic alignment and emotional contagion.