Memorability reflects statistical regularities of the environment

Abstract

The field of statistical learning research has had great success in characterizing people's ability to extract regularities in time and space, but questions remain as to exactly what and how individuals learn over the lifetime. We propose that the field of stimulus memorability research can offer insight to these questions. Sensitivity to memorability, the consistencies in what people remember and forget, is intrinsically linked to statistical learning, as both reflect the prioritization of meaningful input in the environment. Parallels in behavioral responses, developmental trajectories, and neural substrates between the two cognitive processes are discussed. We also offer ways in which both fields can continue to evolve, primarily by using naturalistic, multisensory paradigms, which can lead to a more robust understanding of how statistical learning occurs in the real world.