Preparing the mind for mental operations

This project explores how preparing for mental operations influences the reactivation of stored memories. Specifically, it examines the neural processes underlying memory reactivation when individuals anticipate performing tasks requiring memory retrieval and manipulation. By employing electroencephalography (EEG), the study will track brain activity patterns associated with these preparatory states and their impact on memory reactivation and subsequent task performance.
Participants will engage in tasks designed to probe how mental preparation affects memory accessibility and the accuracy of memory-guided behavior. The project builds on prior behavioral research, extending its scope to the neural mechanisms that support memory reactivation.
Ideal candidates will have prior experience with behavioral research, as this foundational knowledge will support their contributions to the more complex EEG experimentation. This research will advance our understanding of how preparatory cognitive states influence memory processes, with potential implications for improving strategies in learning, decision-making, and task performance across various settings.
- Students are expected to spend at least 6 hours/week. Approximately 4 hours will be spent on data collection, 30 minutes on the weekly project meeting, and 1.5 hours on reading and data analysis.
- Interested students are encouraged to reach out to Eren Günseli to describe what motivates them to participate in this project and their current level of research experience.
- For more information on our research, check out our website at gunselilab.com