Arthur P. Shimamura
Encyclopedia
Arthur P. Shimamura is Professor of Psychology and faculty member of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
at the University of California, Berkeley
. His research focuses on the neural basis of human memory and cognition
. He received his B.A. in Experimental Psychology
from the University of California, Santa Barbara
in 1977 and Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Washington
in 1982. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Larry Squire
, where he studied amnesic patients. In 1989, Shimamura began his professorship at UC Berkeley. He has published over 100 scientific articles and chapters, was a founding member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society
, and has been Science Advisor for the San Francisco Exploratorium science museum. In 2008, he received a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
fellowship to explore links between art, mind, and brain.
in metacognitive or executive control processes. The prefrontal cortex
acts as a high-level gating or filtering mechanism that enhances goal-directed activations and inhibits irrelevant activations. This filtering mechanism enables executive control at various levels of processing, including selecting, maintaining, updating, and rerouting activations. It has also been used to explain emotional regulation.
In 2009, Shimamura and Wickens (2009) proposed hierarchical relational binding theory, which offers a new interpretation of the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in learning and memory (see also Shimamura, 2008). It is proposed that regions within the MTL conform to a hierarchical network with the hippocampus
at the top of the hierarchy. Bindings that occur at the level of the hippocampus particularly strengthen memories so that strong memories get even stronger, a principle called “superadditive.” Hierarchical relational binding theory explains both neuroimaging and behavior findings previously attributed to the distinction between “recollection” and “familiarity.”
Fellow & Charter Member, Association for Psychological Science
Distinguished Teaching Award, Division of Social Sciences, UC Berkeley
Osher Fellow & Science Advisor, San Francisco Exploratorium Science Museum
Ranked 9th of most-cited psychologists ("Highest Impact Authors, 1986-1990," APS Observer, November, 1992)
Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1999 with assistance from a US$10 million bequeathal left by eight-time Wimbledon champion Helen Wills Moody, an alumna of the University of California - Berkeley.-History:After the death of Helen Wills...
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. His research focuses on the neural basis of human memory and cognition
Cognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
. He received his B.A. in Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
from the University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
in 1977 and Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in 1982. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Larry Squire
Larry Squire
Larry Squire is a Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. He is a leading expert on the neurological bases of memory, which he investigates using animal models and human patients with amnesia. Squire received a B.A. from Oberlin College...
, where he studied amnesic patients. In 1989, Shimamura began his professorship at UC Berkeley. He has published over 100 scientific articles and chapters, was a founding member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society
Cognitive Neuroscience Society
The Cognitive Neuroscience Society is an international academic society interested in multi-disciplinary approaches to cognitive brain function. Drawing primarily from the biological and psychological sciences, society members are involved in cognitive neuroscience research that attempts to...
, and has been Science Advisor for the San Francisco Exploratorium science museum. In 2008, he received a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation was founded in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon Guggenheim in memory of their son, who died April 26, 1922...
fellowship to explore links between art, mind, and brain.
Theories
Shimamura (2000) proposed dynamic filtering theory to describe the role of the prefrontal cortexPrefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain, lying in front of the motor and premotor areas.This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making and moderating correct social behavior...
in metacognitive or executive control processes. The prefrontal cortex
Prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain, lying in front of the motor and premotor areas.This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behaviors, personality expression, decision making and moderating correct social behavior...
acts as a high-level gating or filtering mechanism that enhances goal-directed activations and inhibits irrelevant activations. This filtering mechanism enables executive control at various levels of processing, including selecting, maintaining, updating, and rerouting activations. It has also been used to explain emotional regulation.
In 2009, Shimamura and Wickens (2009) proposed hierarchical relational binding theory, which offers a new interpretation of the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) in learning and memory (see also Shimamura, 2008). It is proposed that regions within the MTL conform to a hierarchical network with the hippocampus
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in...
at the top of the hierarchy. Bindings that occur at the level of the hippocampus particularly strengthen memories so that strong memories get even stronger, a principle called “superadditive.” Hierarchical relational binding theory explains both neuroimaging and behavior findings previously attributed to the distinction between “recollection” and “familiarity.”
Honors and awards
John Simon Guggenheim Fellowhip (2008)Fellow & Charter Member, Association for Psychological Science
Distinguished Teaching Award, Division of Social Sciences, UC Berkeley
Osher Fellow & Science Advisor, San Francisco Exploratorium Science Museum
Ranked 9th of most-cited psychologists ("Highest Impact Authors, 1986-1990," APS Observer, November, 1992)