Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG
Reward prediction error (RPE) is crucial for learning and memory, yet its influence on episodic memory remains underexplored. Previous studies have shown two models for the influence of RPE on memory—signed RPE (SRPE) or unsigned RPE (URPE) effects. In the current study, thirty participants complete...
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | NeuroImage |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925003064 |
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| author | Yun Chen Chunyu Zhao Rong Liu Qi Li |
| author_facet | Yun Chen Chunyu Zhao Rong Liu Qi Li |
| author_sort | Yun Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Reward prediction error (RPE) is crucial for learning and memory, yet its influence on episodic memory remains underexplored. Previous studies have shown two models for the influence of RPE on memory—signed RPE (SRPE) or unsigned RPE (URPE) effects. In the current study, thirty participants completed a prediction-feedback assessment integrated with a study-recognition task. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded throughout the experiment. Our results showed that recognition accuracy improved when rewards deviated from expectations, irrespective of the direction (positive or negative) of the deviation. EEG analyses revealed that during the recognition phase, the late positive component was predominantly associated with URPE effects. In the earlier time windows of reward feedback, FRN and P300 components reflected SRPE effects. In contrast, robust URPE effects emerged in the later time windows, as evidenced by both univariate and multivariate analyses. Importantly, the URPE effects of representational similarity were correlated with that of subsequent recognition performance. These findings demonstrate that RPE is differentially processed across memory encoding stages, with URPE exerting a dominant influence. Our results highlight the critical role of unexpected feedback in memory formation and provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying RPE in episodic memory. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-35e503f1f26143c3b24efc239ca3cec5 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1095-9572 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NeuroImage |
| spelling | doaj-art-35e503f1f26143c3b24efc239ca3cec52025-08-20T03:22:00ZengElsevierNeuroImage1095-95722025-08-0131612130310.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121303Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEGYun Chen0Chunyu Zhao1Rong Liu2Qi Li3College of Elementary Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, ChinaBeijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaCollege of Elementary Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; Corresponding author at: College of Elementary Education, Capital Normal University, No.23 Baiduizijia, Fuwaidajie St. Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China; Corresponding author at: Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, No.23 Baiduizijia, Fuwaidajie St. Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.Reward prediction error (RPE) is crucial for learning and memory, yet its influence on episodic memory remains underexplored. Previous studies have shown two models for the influence of RPE on memory—signed RPE (SRPE) or unsigned RPE (URPE) effects. In the current study, thirty participants completed a prediction-feedback assessment integrated with a study-recognition task. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded throughout the experiment. Our results showed that recognition accuracy improved when rewards deviated from expectations, irrespective of the direction (positive or negative) of the deviation. EEG analyses revealed that during the recognition phase, the late positive component was predominantly associated with URPE effects. In the earlier time windows of reward feedback, FRN and P300 components reflected SRPE effects. In contrast, robust URPE effects emerged in the later time windows, as evidenced by both univariate and multivariate analyses. Importantly, the URPE effects of representational similarity were correlated with that of subsequent recognition performance. These findings demonstrate that RPE is differentially processed across memory encoding stages, with URPE exerting a dominant influence. Our results highlight the critical role of unexpected feedback in memory formation and provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying RPE in episodic memory.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925003064Episodic memoryReward prediction errorURPENeural representation |
| spellingShingle | Yun Chen Chunyu Zhao Rong Liu Qi Li Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG NeuroImage Episodic memory Reward prediction error URPE Neural representation |
| title | Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG |
| title_full | Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG |
| title_fullStr | Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG |
| title_short | Unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory: Exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with EEG |
| title_sort | unexpected feedback enhances episodic memory exploring signed and unsigned reward prediction errors with eeg |
| topic | Episodic memory Reward prediction error URPE Neural representation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925003064 |
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