Category: Uncategorized

How well can we measure event segmentation? In a new paper published in Behavioral Research Methods, Sasmita and Swallow evaluate the reliability of event segmentation measures across groups of different sizes, and when they perform the task in the lab and online. Results show that a surprisingly small number of participants are needed to distinguish real data from random data, and that this is true for data collected online as well as in the lab. This paper increases confidence in the utility and reliability of the event segmentation task, and provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in using it to study naturalistic perception, memory, and attention.

In her talk titled “Event segmentation relies on information encountered over a narrow time window”, Karen Sasmita presented her work with Dr. Swallow showing that event segmentation is disrupted for approximately 5 seconds when a movie jumps to a discontinuous part of the narrative. Congratulations to Karen for a great (remote) talk at Psychonomics 2021!

Adam Broitman’s paper, “The Effects of Encoding Instruction and Opportunity on the Recollection of Behaviorally Relevant Events” has been accepted for publication at QJEP! The paper demonstrates that the attentional boost effect is present in estimates of both recollection and familiarity even for images that are ignored. The boost to recollection also increases as increases in the opportunity to encode the images increases – either through multiple presentations or longer trials. Target detection therefore enhances a key feature of episodic memory. Nice work Adam!

We posted a new pre-print on methods for identifying and measuring intrinsic functional connectivity of the LC to BioXiv.

Khena presented her work on cross-cultural event segmentation with Qi Wang.

Congratulations to Aaron Earle-Richardson, Ariella Ratner, and Xing Su! We will miss having you around in the lab!

Congratulations to Karen for a well-done (and speedy) first year talk!

Adam presented his research on recollection and familiarity for behaviorally relevant events. Nice talk, Adam!

Hamid Turker talked about his work on relational memory and the locus coeruleus at his fourth year talk. Nice job, Hamid!