Work

The dominoes of features: Dynamic sequential refinement of working memory representations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Despite the adaptative nature of working memory (WM) refinement (e.g. repulsion), a fundamental question remains unaddressed: what constitutes the unit of WM refinement? Specifically, does the refinement process apply to the entire object (object-based), specific features (feature-based), or potentially involve other mechanisms? Utilizing dual-feature objects and the continuous memory task, we examined whether the repulsion distortion induced in one feature (the trigger feature) could be transmitted to other features (the dependent feature) of the same object. Across one preliminary experiment and five formal experiments, we supported that the WM refinement is neither strictly object-based nor feature-based, but occurs dynamically and sequentially across distinct features. Specifically, the repulsion induced by the trigger feature was transmitted to the dependent feature only during extended maintenance periods, not during short maintenance. Our findings supported the dynamic sequential refinement of WM: refinement induced by a trigger feature could extend to other features, but this transmission is time-consuming.

Source: Cognition

DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2025.106133

Authors: Shengyuan Wang, Xiaoying Min, Xiaowei Ding

Institution: Sun Yat-sen University

Language: English

Topic: Cognitive Abilities and Testing

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,910

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities