Learning and Deciding Under Low Levels of Awareness: Representation Issues and Memory Processes (2009-2011)

Proposed is a theory of memory representation and retrieval which integrates research on episodic memory, evaluative conditioning, discrimination learning, semantic memory, and consumer decision making which is based on well established results and promising pilot data. Novel procedures for assessing the features underlying classification and preferences by human and non-human animals, for producing good learning in the absence of an intent to categorise the to-be-learned stimuli, and for measuring different aspects about the role of awareness in decision making have also been developed. A strong case for the use of low-level features in animal and human discriminations and for sub-optimal human decision making will be established.