Effects and mechanisms of learning on temporal attention

• Grant number: 13/18174-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: August 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Cognitive Psychology
• Principal Investigator: André Mascioli Cravo
• Grantee: Nicolas Laur Oliveira Camara Cesar
• Host Institution: Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The ability to predict when relevant events will occur is essential to behavior. However, the mechanisms that guide the learning of a new interval between two events are still largely unknown. In this project, our goal is to investigate the mechanisms and effects of temporal learning. To this end, we will perform a psychophysical experiment in which the volunteers will have to answer as fast as possible to a visual target. In the beginning of each presentation, a visual cue will precede the appearance of a target, with a fixed interval between them. That interval will be constant for 8 presentations, and then, it will assume a new value. With this manipulation, we will be able to observe the effects of learning of this interval over the volunteer's answering-time and the accuracy. Furthermore, we will record electroencephalographic activity by 64 electrodes positioned at their scalp. This recording will allow us to observe: (1) the neural effects of learning on stimulus processing and; (2) the anticipatory mechanisms involved on the process. (AU)