Embodied False Memories: Motor fluency and its behavioral and TMS interference

Literature on embodied cognition has shown that the perception of action-related stimuli can activate the covert simulation of the action itself (Ianì, 2019). Simulation affects memory and the creation of false memories (Iani et al, 2018). There is also initial evidence showing that fluency perception stemming from the motor system affects memory. For instance, fluent (rather than non-fluent) letter dyads lead to higher false recognition rates. This is attributed to the automatic activation of the motor program of typing, even when the action is not performed (Yang et al., 2009). The main aim of the present research project is to achieve a better understanding of the role of fluency in embodied false memories. The first aim (Exp 1) is to replicate and extend the results by Yang et al. (2009) in an Italian sample, with different letter dyads and a modified recognition task, adding also a source memory task (Gatti et al., 2021) in order to verify the implication of recollection (vs. familiarity) in false alarms. The second aim (Exp 2) is to investigate the possibility that motor interference tasks eliminate the fluency effect, therefore decreasing false memory rates. Finally, in Experiment 3, the role of the cerebellum in the creation of embodied false memories will be investigated.Two groups of participants (typing novices and experts) are asked to encode and remember fluent (typed with different fingers) and non-fluent (typed with the same finger) letter-dyads. In all experiments, typing fluency is tested in a behavioral task, and a motor interfering condition is used during retrieval. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be applied on the right cerebellum. Data are being collected. We expect to replicate Yang et al. 's (2009) findings of fluent dyads eliciting higher rates of false alarms in typing experts due to the automatically activated covert simulation of the typing action. The behavioral interference task as well as the TMS are expected to eliminate this fluency effect in the interfering condition leading to a lower number of false alarms. Finally, the TMS is expected to determine the implication of the right cerebellum in the creation of embodied false memories. A better understanding of the nature of embodied false memories will be obtained being able to determine whether false alarms rates depend on recollection vs. familiarity. Furthermore, greater knowledge on the role of motor fluency, motor simulation and the motor system in memory representation of actions, as well as on false memories will be obtained.