Research

My research program investigates memory formation, control allocation, and AI hallucinations using both behavioral data and computational models.

Motor Memory Formation

My research investigates how skills and memories are formed, consolidated, and retrieved.

Key Research Questions

  • How do different practice schedules impact motor memory formation?
  • How does control allocation influence skill acquisition and performance?
  • How does task similarity affect memory formation?

Current Projects

Practice Schedules

Investigating how different practice schedules (e.g., massed vs. distributed) influence motor memory consolidation, with implications for optimizing learning strategies in music and other skills.

Task Similarity

Investigating how task similarity affects memory formation, with a focus on implications for skill transfer and generalization.

Featured Publications

Rickard, T. C., Pan, S. C., & Gupta, M. W. (2022)

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition

Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T. C. (2025)

Under Review

Motor Memory Consolidation Pathways

Research Applications

  • • Optimized learning for musicians
  • • Enhanced rehabilitation protocols
  • • Longer retention for skills

Motor Control Allocation

This research investigates how the brain allocates control during motor skill learning. I aim to uncover how to encourage the mind to increase control allocation.

Key Research Questions

  • How does control allocation unfold across different planning horizons?
  • How does task similarity impact control allocation?
  • How does task value influence control allocation?

Current Projects

Task Value

How does the value you place on the current task or a secondary task affect control allocation?

Planning Horizons

If you know you're going to be learning something for a short or long time, how does that affect your control allocation?

Featured Publications

Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T.C. (2024)

Scientific Reports

Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T.C. (2022)

Nature Partner Journals Science of Learning

Motor Control Allocation

Research Applications

  • • Enhanced motivation while learning
  • • Better patient retention during rehabilitation
  • • Better work/life balance

False Memories in Humans and AI

This research investigates parallels between human false memory formation and similar phenomena in large language models and other AI systems. I examine the cognitive mechanisms and computational principles underlying memory distortions.

Key Research Questions

  • What common mechanisms drive false memories in humans and AI?
  • How does semantic information create false memories?
  • How can we reduce or eliminate hallucinations in LLMs and VLMs?
  • In what contexts are AI more likely to hallucinate?

Current Projects

A Process Model of Human and AI False Memories

Developing and testing a unified process model to explain false memory formation in both humans and AI systems.

Semantic Distortions

Investigating how semantic information can lead to false memories in both human cognition and AI outputs, with a focus on implications for AI reliability.

Featured Publications

False Memory

Research Applications

  • • Improved AI reliability
  • • AI that doesn't want to kill us
  • • Improved educational interventions for learning
  • • Legal/forensic memory applications

Episodic Learning

This research explores how episodic memory systems contribute to skill acquisition and knowledge formation. I investigate the interplay between episodic and procedural memory systems during learning and how episodic traces enhance knowledge transfer.

Key Research Questions

  • How does retrieval practice affect memory formation?
  • When is retrieval practice most effective for learning?
  • How does declarative learning interact with motor learning?

Current Projects

Prior Learning Contributions to Retrieval Practice

How does prior knowledge and semantic memory affect retrieval practice efficacy?

Featured Publications

Gupta, M. W., Pan, S. C., & Rickard, T. C. (2024)

Journal of Memory and Language

Gupta, M. W., Pan, S. C., & Rickard, T. C. (2022)

Memory & Cognition

Episodic Learning

Research Applications

  • • Enhanced educational practices
  • • Improved study techniques
  • • Music education methods
  • • Memory-based learning technologies