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
Severe publication bias contributes to illusory sleep consolidation in the motor sequence learning literature
Rickard, T. C., Pan, S. C., & Gupta, M. W. (2022)
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
Motor Sequence Learning is Independent of Spacing, Micro-consolidation, and Reactive Inhibition
Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T. C. (2025)
Under Review
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
Comparison of online, offline, and hybrid hypotheses of motor sequence learning using a quantitative model that incorporate reactive inhibition
Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T.C. (2024)
Scientific Reports
Dissipation of reactive inhibition is sufficient to explain post-rest improvements in motor sequence learning
Gupta, M. W., & Rickard, T.C. (2022)
Nature Partner Journals Science of Learning
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
This is ongoing work with publications coming soon!
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
Interaction between the testing and forward testing effects in the case of cued-recall: Implications for theory, individual difference studies, and application
Gupta, M. W., Pan, S. C., & Rickard, T. C. (2024)
Journal of Memory and Language
Prior episodic learning and the efficacy of retrieval practice
Gupta, M. W., Pan, S. C., & Rickard, T. C. (2022)
Memory & Cognition
Research Applications
- • Enhanced educational practices
- • Improved study techniques
- • Music education methods
- • Memory-based learning technologies