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Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content

Publication ,  Journal Article
Dowd, EW; Pearson, JM; Egner, T
Published in: Visual Cognition
August 9, 2015

Sophisticated machine learning algorithms have been successfully applied to functional neuroimaging data in order to characterize internal cognitive states. But is it possible to “mind-read” without the scanner? Capitalizing on the robust finding that the contents of working memory guide visual attention toward memory-matching objects, we trained a multivariate pattern classifier on behavioural indices of attentional guidance. Working memory representations were successfully decoded from behaviour alone, both within and between individuals. The current study provides a proof-of-concept for applying machine learning techniques to simple behavioural outputs (e.g., response times) in order to decode information about specific internal cognitive states.

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Published In

Visual Cognition

DOI

EISSN

1464-0716

ISSN

1350-6285

Publication Date

August 9, 2015

Volume

23

Issue

7

Start / End Page

862 / 866

Related Subject Headings

  • Experimental Psychology
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Dowd, E. W., Pearson, J. M., & Egner, T. (2015). Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content. Visual Cognition, 23(7), 862–866. https://doi.org/10.1080/13506285.2015.1093244
Dowd, E. W., J. M. Pearson, and T. Egner. “Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content.” Visual Cognition 23, no. 7 (August 9, 2015): 862–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/13506285.2015.1093244.
Dowd EW, Pearson JM, Egner T. Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content. Visual Cognition. 2015 Aug 9;23(7):862–6.
Dowd, E. W., et al. “Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content.” Visual Cognition, vol. 23, no. 7, Aug. 2015, pp. 862–66. Scopus, doi:10.1080/13506285.2015.1093244.
Dowd EW, Pearson JM, Egner T. Mind-reading without the scanner: Behavioural decoding of working memory content. Visual Cognition. 2015 Aug 9;23(7):862–866.

Published In

Visual Cognition

DOI

EISSN

1464-0716

ISSN

1350-6285

Publication Date

August 9, 2015

Volume

23

Issue

7

Start / End Page

862 / 866

Related Subject Headings

  • Experimental Psychology
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology