Work

Spatial Attention Interacts With Serial-Order Retrieval From Verbal Working Memory

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The ability to maintain the serial order of events is recognized as a major function of working memory. Although general models of working memory postulate a close link between working memory and attention, such a link has so far not been proposed specifically for serial-order working memory. The present study provided the first empirical demonstration of a direct link between serial order in verbal working memory and spatial selective attention. We show that the retrieval of later items of a sequence stored in working memory-compared with that of earlier items-produces covert attentional shifts toward the right. This observation suggests the conceptually surprising notion that serial-order working memory, even for nonspatially defined verbal items, draws on spatial attention.

Source: Psychological Science

DOI: 10.1177/0956797613479610

Authors: Jean-Philippe van Dijck, Elger L. Abrahamse, Steve Majerus, Wim Fias

Institutions: Ghent University, University of Liège

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Abilities and Testing

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Australian Government, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Universiteit Gent, Vlaamse regering

Award: G2517802833