Implicit learning
[1] According to Frensch and Rünger (2003) the general definition of implicit learning is still subject to some controversy, although the topic has had some significant developments since the 1960s.
Another difference is that brain areas involved in working memory and attention are often more active during explicit than implicit learning.
[2][6] Due to such large differences in the understanding of implicit learning, some scientists even argue that the concept does not exist.
Reber was interested in studying whether or not systematic recording (an explicit process) was used when the participants made their decisions on whether or not the string followed the rule.
If the rule is too easy, participants will be able to mentally deconstruct the structure and the experiment will no longer test implicit learning.
These systems have basic foundations in mathematics which makes them easier to understand by investigators while remaining apparently arbitrary.
In artificial grammar learning studies, the results usually show that the participant is able to separate the strings more accurately than probability would predict.
However, when asked to clarify why they chose to classify particular strings in as grammatical, participants were typically unable to verbalize their reasoning.
In the task, visual stimuli appear in a specific place on a computer screen and participants are told to press a key.
In these experiments, participants are usually able to bring the system to control but are unable to verbalize the rules they followed in order to do so.
In order to do this, participants were expected to manipulate the value for the number of factor workers (input) until the optimal level of sugar output was attained.
In Humphreys' experiment, a ready signal was flashed and the participant was then told to predict whether or not a reinforcing event would happen and then the result was recorded.
[19] Implicit learning paradigms may be modified to change a variety of stereotypes one holds against others or oneself and thus can be used to reduce depression associated with prejudice (i.e., "deprejudice").
[20] Implicit learning experiments use a dissociation paradigm to show that the knowledge was gained unintentionally and without awareness by the participant.
In the artificial grammar learning paradigm, participants are asked if they recognized pieces of specific strings of letters.
In a study conducted by Dulany and colleges, participants were asked to identify letters which would complete the string in a grammatically correct way.
Others have counter-argued that this test cannot be used to dismiss the concept of implicit learning altogether because it assumes that the participant is consciously sensitive to all of his/her relevant knowledge.
[10] In subjective testing, implicit learning occurs when participants who show above chance performance have no knowledge of their judgements.
[24] It is important to differentiate between measurement of conscious and unconscious processes in order to make valid assessments.
These factors are especially important in implicit learning experiments as the resulting in percentages that are only slightly above statistical significance.
Studies show that knowledge gained through implicit learning is only of limited transfer to structurally similar tasks.
[5] There have been a good number of recent studies which test implicit processes in subjects with mental disorders and abnormalities.
Many of these studies have focused on amnesiac patients because the disorder deals primarily with consciousness and the ability to recognize familiar stimuli by retrieval of things that have been previously learned.
Due to his surgery, Molaison developed anterograde amnesia which made him forgetful of recently occurring events.
His amnesia made it so that he had severe difficulties remembering events that happened as little as a half hour ago in his life.
Although Molaison was unable to learn consciously, he still had almost normal abilities when it came to his sensorimotor skills indicating that he may have held on to some remnants of his unconscious (implicit) previous experiences.
