Visual spatial attention and spatial working memory do not draw on shared capacity-limited core processes

Abstract

The extent to which similar capacity limits in visual attention and visual working memory indicate a common shared underlying mechanism is currently still debated. In the spatial domain, the multiple object tracking (MOT) task has been used to assess the relationship between spatial attention and spatial working memory though existing results have been inconclusive. In three dual task experiments, we examined the extent of interference between attention to spatial positions and memory for spatial positions. When the position monitoring task required keeping track of target identities through colour-location binding, we found a moderate detrimental effect of position monitoring on spatial working memory and an ambiguous interaction effect. However, when this task requirement was removed, load increases in neither task were detrimental to the other. The only very moderate interference effect that remained resided in an interaction between load types but was not consistent with shared capacity between tasks—rather it was consistent with content-related crosstalk between spatial representations. Contrary to propositions that spatial attention and spatial working memory may draw on a common shared set of core processes, these findings indicate that for a purely spatial task, perceptual attention and working memory appear to recruit separate core capacity-limited processes.

Action Real-Time Strategy Gaming Experience Related to Enhanced Capacity of Visual Working Memory

“…Third, the participants performed a change detection task that is indicative of VWM capacity rather than attention tasks (Qiu et al, 2018 ; Gan et al, 2020 ). Although VWM is closely related to several aspects of attention (Vogel et al, 2005 ; Astle and Scerif, 2011 ), visual attention and VWM share different key capacity-limited mechanisms (Howard et al, 2020 ). Thus, it is still unknown whether ARSG experience is related to an enhanced VWM capacity.…”

Experimental Studies of the Attention Processing Model in Multiple Object Tracking Task

“…However, previous study has shown that spatial and non-spatial working memory are dissociable functions of the brain [ 40 ]. Howard et al’s study (2020) used MOT task, and found that for a purely spatial task, working memory and visual spatial attention appear to recruit separate capacity-limited resources [ 41 ]. Besides, several studies have also suggested that the resources of spatial working memory and visual spatial attention are independent of each other [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Working Memory Vs Inhibitory Control: Peran terhadap Informasi Tidak Relevan sebuah Kajian Neuropsikologi

“…Performansi working memory (WM) terhadap informasi tidak relevan cukup ditandai dan diabaikan saja. Kapasitas WM selama memproses stimulus sangat ditentukan oleh upaya memfokuskan atensi dalam durasi waktu yang singkat pada stimulus tersebut (Fabius et al, 2017;Howard et al, 2020). Performansi kapasitas WM mengalami penurunan jika atensi makin melemah dan upaya meningkatkan kembali fokus atensi dikarenakan munculnya kembali informasi tidak relevan.…”