Context dependency as a function of prediction error-based attention

Context dependence of information has been shown to be based, at least in part, on the attention contexts received at the time of training. Recent research suggests that attention to irrelevant contexts may be a byproduct of the activation of a general exploratory attentional mechanism prompted by high prediction errors associated with situations of uncertainty. Alternatively, low prediction errors may engage an attentional mechanism of exploitation in situations in which contexts play a relevant role. A selective review discusses the potential of this approach to explain context switch effects from an attentional perspective

Se ha demostrado que la dependencia contextual de la información depende esencialmente de la atención que reciben los contextos en el momento del entrenamiento. La investigación reciente sugiere que la atención a contextos irrelevantes podría ser un efecto secundario de la activación de el mecanismo exploratorio general de la atención promovido por errores de predicción altos asociados a situaciones de incertidumbre. Alternativamente, errores de predicción bajos podrían activar el mecanismo atencional de explotación en aquellas situaciones en las que el contexto juega un papel relevante dentro de la situación de aprendizaje. Se realiza una revisión selectiva en la que se discute el potencial de esta aproximación para explicar los efectos de cambio de contexto desde una perspectiva atencional

A context-specific latent inhibition effect in a human conditioned suppression task.

Three studies used a computer video game preparation to demonstrate latent inhibition in adult humans. In all studies participants fired torpedoes at a target spaceship by clicking the mouse. Conditioned stimuli (CSs) were presented in the form of coloured "sensors" at the bottom of the screen. Conditioning was conducted by pairing a sensor with an attack from the target spaceship. Participants learned to suppress their rate of mouse clicking in preparation for an attack. In Experiment 1 a total of 10 preexposures to the sensor CS, prior to conditioning, retarded acquisition of suppression. In Experiment 2 the effect of preexposure was shown to be context specific. Experiment 3 showed little generalization of the preexposure effect from one sensor CS to another. Experiment 3 also showed that preexposure did not make the sensor CS inhibitory. Comparisons with conditioned suppression procedures with animals and negative-priming procedures are briefly discussed.