Adaptive Forgetting and the Behavioral Ecology of Memory

There is a general consensus that remembering everything forever is not ideal: there are physiological costs as well as costs with potential interference with the recall of memories. I am looking at memory length as an evolutionarily adaptive behavior, specifically asking: When is it optimal to forget? I am addressing aspects of this question with modeling and simulation, with experiments using blue jays in operant boxes, and through integrating theory from a wide variety of disciplinary approaches to forgetting. I had to put this work on hold while I tended to the massive fly experiments, but now it is back on top of the work pile!

Blue Jay Lab Projects

When properly bribed, I also work on some of my advisor’s projects on impulsivity and cooperation, and now signalling in animal decision making. I write programs, analyze data, and keep things running smoothly. Actually I do all of that without being bribed, although chocolate is always appreciated (note to Dave Stephens: Godiva raspberry cordials are preferred). You can check out the Stephens lab web site for details on this stuff.

Cognition in the Pinyon Jay

It is hard to leave such a fantastic bird as a pinyon jay. Thanks to a couple of really nifty data sets, I am getting to work on a final few papers on these super cool birds. I am hoping to make more time for this work during the upcoming months.