Monetary rewards influence retrieval orientations

Reward anticipation during learning is known to support memory formation, but its role in retrieval processes is so far unclear.
Retrieval orientations, as a reflection of controlled retrieval processing, are one aspect of retrieval that might be modulated
by reward. These processes can be measured using the event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by retrieval cues from tasks
with different retrieval requirements, such as via changes in the class of targeted memory information. To determine whether
retrieval orientations of this kind are modulated by reward during learning, we investigated the effects of high and low reward
expectancy on the ERP correlates of retrieval orientation in two separate experiments. The reward manipulation at study in
Experiment 1 was associated with later memory performance, whereas in Experiment 2, reward was directly linked to accuracy in the study task. In both studies, the participants encoded mixed lists of pictures
and words preceded by high- or low-reward cues. After 24 h, they performed a recognition memory exclusion task, with words
as the test items. In addition to a previously reported material-specific effect of retrieval orientation, a frontally distributed,
reward-associated retrieval orientation effect was found in both experiments. These findings suggest that reward motivation
during learning leads to the adoption of a reward-associated retrieval orientation to support the retrieval of highly motivational
information. Thus, ERP retrieval orientation effects not only reflect retrieval processes related to the sought-for materials,
but also relate to the reward conditions with which items were combined during encoding.