Jiří Lukavský

Episodic memory for human-like agents and human-like agents for episodic memory

Episodic memory has been approached from many levels of analysis and many of its facets have been modeled computationally. Recently, several models of episodic memory have emerged in the domain of intelligent virtual agents (IVAs). Compared to neuro-/psychological models, their plausibility is limited. On the other hand, they can store representations of large environments and other complex memories over long-time intervals. This paper presents one such model and discusses the possibility of using IVAs as a test-bed to investigate neuro-/psychological models. The conclusion is that IVAs and their virtual environments can constitute an ecologically plausible framework allowing for study and integration of the neuro-/psychological models.

Short version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI–short) with and without the Future-Negative scale, verified on nationally representative samples

Aim The “time perspective” becomes increasingly relevant in psychological assessment, but time constraints sometimes prevent the use of the popular Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) in its full extent. This study focuses on short versions (ZTPI–short), comprising 3 items for each scale, 15 items in total (18 when Future-Negative is added). Objectives included testing the psychometric properties of the abbreviated ZTPI and optional balancing of the Future scale with its negative counterpart. Method Two modifications were used, the five-scale form, structurally corresponding to the original ZTPI (Past-Negative, Past-Positive, Present-Hedonistic, Present-Fatalistic, and Future scales), and a six-scale adaptation with a Future-Negative scale added. Both versions were verified on nationally representative samples in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (N = 2068). Results Psychometric properties proved to be good with or without the Future-Negative scale as corroborated by adequate scale distribution, by consistency (Cronbachs alpha), reliability between short and long versions, validity of short and long versions with respect to the sociodemographic profile, by results of structural equation modeling confirming international invariance in a comparative multigroup perspective as well as good fit (confirmatory factor analysis) of five- and six-factor model for the Czech and Slovak ZTPI–short (separately or with a pooled sample). The five-scale ZTPI–short had a slightly better model fit than the six-scale version, the Future-Negative scale correlated strongly with the Past-Negative scale. Conclusion The ZTPI–short is a quality instrument for assessing time perspective and can be recommended for further use.

Towards More Human-Like Episodic Memory for More Human-Like Agents

Episodic memory (EM) is an umbrella term for memory systems that operate with representations of personal history of an entity. The content of EM is related to particular places and moments, and connected to subjective feelings and current goals. Recently, it has been argued that EM is one of the key components contributing to believability of intelligent virtual agents (IVAs), at least when agents interact with humans for more than a couple of minutes, because it allows the user to understand better the agents history, personality, and internal state: both actual state and past state [e.g. 2, 5]. Technically, the EM is merely a data structure for loss compression of the flow of external events. The EM cannot be implemented as a pure log/video, because these are bad data structures (including human level). Why are they bad? First, they produce too large data. Second, they are not well organised with respect to future possible queries: neither a log nor a video have appropriate indexes in terms of database systems. A better approach is needed.

Towards Characters with a Full Episodic Memory

A typical present-day virtual actor is able to store episodes in an ad hocmanner, which does not allow for reconstructing the actors personal stories. We have prototyped a virtual RPG actor with a fullepisodic memory, which allows for this reconstruction. The paper overviews the work done and sketches the work in progress.

Changes in boundary extension effect during spatial confinement

Changes in perception during space missions are usually attributed to microgravity. However, additional factors, such as spatial confinement, may contribute to changes in perception. We tested changes in scene perception using a boundary extension (BE) paradigm during a 105-day Earth-based space-simulation study. In addition to the close-up/wide-angle views used in BE, we presented two types of scenes based on the distance from the observer (proximal/distant scenes). In crew members (n = 6), we found that BE partly increased over time, but the size of BE error did not change in the control group (n = 22). We propose that this effect is caused by an increasing BE effect in stimuli that depict distant scenes and is related to spatial confinement. The results might be important for other situations of spatial confinement with restricted visual depth (e.g., submarine crew, patients confined to a bed). Generally, we found a larger BE effect in proximal scenes compared with the distant scenes. We also demonstrated that with no feedback, subjects preserve the level of the BE effect during repeated measurements.

Five-Year Neuropsychological Outcome after Stereotactic Radiofrequency Amygdalohippocampectomy for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Longitudinal Study

Purpose: To assess the neuropsychological performance recoded over a period of 5 years after stereotactic radiofrequency amygdalohippocampectomy (SAHE) in the treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Material and Methods: Thirty patients (mean age 38 years, 14 females/16 males) were included in this study. Twenty-one patients were treated on the left side, 9 on the right. Patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised preoperatively and 5 years after SAHE. Results: Twenty-three (77%) patients were classified as Engel class I. At the group level, we found significant increases in all intelligence domains (Global, Visual, and Performance) by 19.1 (7.4), 15.8 (6.1), and 19.1 (7.9) points, respectively. Significant improvements were also detected in all memory measures (Global, Verbal, Visual, Attention/Concentration, Delayed Recall) by 19.4 (14.2), 16.9 (13.3), 19.0 (14.7), 15.3 (15.0), and 24.6 (13.4), respectively. Patients with left-sided surgery improved significantly more in Attention/Concentration. Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in memory function improvements between subgroups according to the operated side. Conclusion: After SAHE, we found favorable long-term neuropsychological outcomes. These results could be caused by incomplete destruction of target structures and minimization of collateral damage that possibly enables adaptive postoperative neuronal reorganization.

Where did i put my glasses?: determining trustfulness of records in episodic memory by means of an associative network

Episodic memory represents personal history of an entity. Humanlike agents with a full episodic memory are able to reconstruct their personal stories to a large extent. Since these agents typically live in dynamic environments that change beyond their capabilities, their memory must cope with determining trustfulness of memory records. In this paper, we propose an associative network addressing this issue with regard to records about objects an agent met during its live. The network is presently being implemented into our case-study human-like agent with a full episodic memory.

Does Motivation Enhance Knowledge Acquisition in Digital Game-Based and Multimedia Learning? A Review of Studies from One Lab

In the contexts of digital game-based and multimedia learning, little is known about the strengths of associations between positive affective-motivational factors elicited during a study session and the quality of knowledge acquisition. Here, we take a step forward in filling this gap by re-analyzing our 11 experiments carried out between 2009–2017, featuring digital games, a simulation, animations, or a computerized presentation (total N = 1,288; primarily Czech and Slovak high school and university learners). The correlational meta-analysis showed that the overall relationship between positive affective-motivational variables and learning outcomes was significant, but relatively weak. The weaker relationship was found for enjoyment and generalized positive affect compared to flow. The finding corroborates the idea that affective-motivational states may be differentially related to learning outcomes. Future research should investigate why some affective-motivational states seem to play relatively limited roles in learning from multimedia instructional materials.

A neuropsychologist’s view: Outcome after RF-ablation for mTLE

Concern about postoperative worsening of cognitive functions after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery is an important issue. In this article we review our data on neuropsychological outcome after radiofrequency (RF) ablation of amygdalohippocampal complex (AHC). On a group level we found initial improvement in intelligence domains and unchanged memory scores one year after the surgery. During longitudinal follow-up, we found improvement in both intellectual and memory domains. This improvement was most pronounced up to two years after surgery. On an individual level, no patient worsened in any intellectual domain and most patients improved in memory. We hypothesize that this favorable outcome may be a consequence of minimization of collateral damage and incomplete destruction of target structures. We also summarize our experience with psychiatric complications of the procedure.

Eye Tracking in Emotional Design Research: What are its Limitations?

Adding anthropomorphic graphical elements to computerized learning materials has been shown to enhance learning. We have prepared an experimental study, in which we will investigate if learning is enhanced because of the elevated positive affect of learners or due to the attention-capturing effect of the anthropomorphisms. Here, we present a pilot study asking if eye tracking might help in answering this question. Participants (N = 23) studied from one of three versions (schematic, enhanced black-and-white, enhanced with color) of instructional slides about the influenza virus for about 10 minutes; with eye tracking. Their prior and, especially, post hoc negative affect was elevated, and positive affect decreased compared to participants from a similar experiment without an eye tracker (N = 37). One-third of participants reported higher nervousness due to the eye tracker. The attention-capturing effect was possible to measure; but with limitations. The implications for emotional design studies with eye tracking are discussed.