scholarly journals Spatial working memory in visual search for multiple targets

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.S. Gorbunova
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Search Efficiency ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Multiple Targets ◽  
Subsequent Search Misses

The article investigated the role of spatial working memory in visual search for multiple targets, in particular, in subsequent search misses effect. This phenomenon is the second target omission after the first target has been found in visual search task. One of the theoretical interpretations of subsequent search misses is the lack of resources (attention and/or working memory) after the first target is found. Experiment investigated dual-target visual search efficiency in standard conditions and with additional spatial working memory load. Additional working memory load did not have any significant impact in multiple target visual search efficiency. The results can due to the role of object, but not spatial working memory in this task. Alternative explanation assumes using special tools and strategies.

scholarly journals Effect of verbal working memory load during the oculomotor activity in visual search

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.B. Velichkovsky ◽  
A.I. Izmalkova
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Mutual Influence ◽  
Verbal Working Memory ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Visual Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Oculomotor Activity

The structure of working memory has components responsible for the storage of verbal and visualspatial information; despite the fairly detailed study of the functions and mechanisms of their work, the question of their mutual influence is still open. Studies on the verbal working memory load influence on visual search performance (a task requiring the use of visual-spatial working memory resources) it was found that the load on the verbal working memory leads to increased efficiency of target detection. The results of the analysis of oculomotor activity during visual search also point out that the implementation of such tasks under verbal working memory load is accompanied by an increase in cognitive tension and of the degree of search automaticity. The results may indicate the interaction of verbal and visual-spatial working memory components that share non-specific cognitive resources.

A Role for Spatial and Nonspatial Working Memory Processes in Visual Search

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine J. Anderson ◽  
Sabira K. Mannan ◽  
Geraint Rees ◽  
Petroc Sumner ◽  
Christopher Kennard
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Retention Interval ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Search Task ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Memory Processes ◽  
Task Conditions

Searching a cluttered visual scene for a specific item of interest can take several seconds to perform if the target item is difficult to discriminate from surrounding items. Whether working memory processes are utilized to guide the path of attentional selection during such searches remains under debate. Previous studies have found evidence to support a role for spatial working memory in inefficient search, but the role of nonspatial working memory remains unclear. Here, we directly compared the role of spatial and nonspatial working memory for both an efficient and inefficient search task. In Experiment 1, we used a dual-task paradigm to investigate the effect of performing visual search within the retention interval of a spatial working memory task. Importantly, by incorporating two working memory loads (low and high) we were able to make comparisons between dual-task conditions, rather than between dual-task and single-task conditions. This design allows any interference effects observed to be attributed to changes in memory load, rather than to nonspecific effects related to “dual-task” performance. We found that the efficiency of the inefficient search task declined as spatial memory load increased, but that the efficient search task remained efficient. These results suggest that spatial memory plays an important role in inefficient but not efficient search. In Experiment 2, participants performed the same visual search tasks within the retention interval of visually matched spatial and verbal working memory tasks. Critically, we found comparable dual-task interference between inefficient search and both the spatial and nonspatial working memory tasks, indicating that inefficient search recruits working memory processes common to both domains.

scholarly journals Working Memory Load Increase Predicts Visual Search Efficiency

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 291-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Attar ◽  
M. Schneps ◽  
M. Pomplun
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Search Efficiency ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Load Increase

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SPATIAL WORKING MEMORY LOADS ON VISUAL SEARCH

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit Höfler ◽  
◽  
Sebastian A. Bauch ◽  
Elisabeth Englmair ◽  
Julia Friedmann-Eibler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Search Time ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
High Load ◽  
Search Performance ◽  
Search Efficiency ◽  
Spatial Locations

"Working memory (WM) has been shown to be an important factor in visual search. For instance, there is evidence that both spatial and visual WM load lead to a decrease in search performance, resulting in a longer time to complete a search. However, the findings regarding search efficiency, i.e., search time as a function of display size, are less clear. This measure has been reported to be affected by spatial but not visual WM load. In three experiments, with approximately 20 participants each, we tested how two different types of spatial WM load affect visual search in terms of search performance and efficiency. In all experiments, participants were asked to memorize the spatial locations of two (low load) or four items (high load) presented either serially (Experiment 1) or simultaneously (Experiments 2 and 3). After that, they had to search for a target letter in a display of 5, 10 or 15 letters. In Experiment 3, participants additionally performed a verbal WM task. A control condition with no memory load (search only) was also included in each experiment. The results showed that, compared to the search-only condition, search times increased when spatial load was added. This was regardless of the type of spatial WM load. No search-time differences were found between the low and high-load condition. The additional verbal WM task had no effect on search performance. Furthermore, and in contrast to previous findings, search efficiency was not affected by either type of spatial WM load. These results suggest that visual search performance, but not search efficiency, is affected by spatial WM load."

scholarly journals Object working memory load and perceptual similarity in visual search for multiple targets

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-134
Author(s):  
K.S. Kozlov ◽  
E.S. Gorbunova
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Search Task ◽  
Visual Search Task ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Perceptual Similarity ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Subsequent Search Misses

Subsequent search misses can occur during visual search for several targets. SSM is a decrease in accuracy at finding a second target after successful detection of a first one. Two experiments investigated the effect of object working memory load, target stimuli similarity and the similarity of stimuli in visual search task and working memory tasks on the SSM. It was found that targets perceptual similarity is significant, as well as memory load in case of working memory task and visual search task stimuli similarity. In addition, we found a significant interaction between working memory load and number of shared features between two target stimuli, which may indicate a common mechanism underlying the role of working memory load and perceptual similarity factors.

Visual Search Facilitation in Repeated Displays Depends on Visuospatial Working Memory

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela A. Manginelli ◽  
Franziska Geringswald ◽  
Stefan Pollmann
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Visual Search ◽  
Control Experiment ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Contextual Cueing ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Memory Resources

When distractor configurations are repeated over time, visual search becomes more efficient, even if participants are unaware of the repetition. This contextual cueing is a form of incidental, implicit learning. One might therefore expect that contextual cueing does not (or only minimally) rely on working memory resources. This, however, is debated in the literature. We investigated contextual cueing under either a visuospatial or a nonspatial (color) visual working memory load. We found that contextual cueing was disrupted by the concurrent visuospatial, but not by the color working memory load. A control experiment ruled out that unspecific attentional factors of the dual-task situation disrupted contextual cueing. Visuospatial working memory may be needed to match current display items with long-term memory traces of previously learned displays.

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