# Fisher-Guided Selective Forgetting: Mitigating The Primacy Bias in Deep Reinforcement Learning

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.00802 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.00802/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Deep RL algorithms and representations, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods.
- First posted on arXiv 2 Feb 2025.

## Placed in

- Deep reinforcement learning methods / [Deep RL algorithms and representations](https://mlsanity.com/deeprl/deep-rl-algorithms-and-representations/)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Sparsity-Driven Plasticity in Multi-Task Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.06871/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) systems often tend to overfit to early experiences, a phenomenon known as the primacy bias (PB). This bias can severely hinder learning efficiency and final performance, particularly in complex environments. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of PB through the lens of the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM). We develop a framework characterizing PB through distinct patterns in the FIM trace, identifying critical memorization and reorganization phases during learning. Building on this understanding, we propose Fisher-Guided Selective Forgetting (FGSF), a novel method that leverages the geometric structure of the parameter space to selectively modify network weights, preventing early experiences from dominating the learning process. Empirical results across DeepMind Control Suite (DMC) environments show that FGSF consistently outperforms baselines, particularly in complex tasks. We analyze the different impacts of PB on actor and critic networks, the role of replay ratios in exacerbating the effect, and the effectiveness of even simple noise injection methods. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of PB and practical mitigation strategies, offering a FIM-based geometric perspective for advancing DRL.