Journal article
Neural traces of composite tasks in complex task representation in the human brain reflects learning performance
PLoS biology, Vol.24(1), e3003613
01/16/2026
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003613
PMCID: PMC12826513
PMID: 41544121
Abstract
Task knowledge can be encoded hierarchically such that complex tasks can be built by associating simpler tasks. This associative organization supports generalization to facilitate learning of related but novel complex tasks. To study how the brain implements generalization in hierarchical task learning, we trained human participants on two complex tasks that shared a simple task and tested them on novel complex tasks whose association could be inferred via the shared simple task. Behaviorally, we observed faster learning of the novel complex tasks than control tasks. Using electroencephalogram (EEG) data, we decoded constituent simple tasks when performing a complex task (i.e., EEG association effect). Crucially, the shared simple task, although not part of the novel complex task, could be reliably decoded from the novel complex task. This decoding strength was correlated with the EEG association effect and the behavioral generalization effect. The findings demonstrate how task learning can be accelerated by associative inference.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Neural traces of composite tasks in complex task representation in the human brain reflects learning performance
- Creators
- Woo-Tek Lee - University of IowaEliot Hazeltine - University of IowaJiefeng Jiang - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- PLoS biology, Vol.24(1), e3003613
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003613
- PMID
- 41544121
- PMCID
- PMC12826513
- NLM abbreviation
- PLoS Biol
- ISSN
- 1545-7885
- eISSN
- 1545-7885
- Publisher
- PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
- Grant note
- National Institute of Mental Health: R01MH131559
This project was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH131559 to J.J.). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/16/2026
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9985121594302771
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