A1 Journal article (refereed)
Sustained attention required for effective dimension-based retro-cue benefit in visual working memory (2023)

Liu, R., Guo, L., Sun, H.-J., Parviainen, T., Zhou, Z., Cheng, Y., Liu, Q., & Ye, C. (2023). Sustained attention required for effective dimension-based retro-cue benefit in visual working memory. Journal of Vision, 23(5), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.23.5.13

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Liu, Ruyi; Guo, Lijing; Sun, Hong-jin; Parviainen, Tiina; Zhou, Zifang; Cheng, Yuxin; Liu, Qiang; Ye, Chaoxiong

Journal or series: Journal of Vision

eISSN: 1534-7362

Publication year: 2023

Volume: 23

Issue number: 5

Article number: 13

Publisher: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1167/jov.23.5.13

Research data link: https://osf.io/y8xvw/

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87150

Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print): https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/v2zg4

Abstract

In visual working memory (VWM) tasks, participants’ performances can be improved through the use of dimension-based retro-cues, which direct internal attention to prioritize a particular dimension (e.g., color or orientation) of VWM representations even after the stimuli disappear. This phenomenon is known as the dimension-based retro-cue benefit (RCB). The present study investigates whether sustained attention is required for the dimension-based RCB by inserting interference or interruption between the retro-cue and the test array to distract attention. We tested the effects of perceptual interference or cognitive interruption on dimension-based RCB when the interference (Experiments 1 and 2 with masks) or interruption (Experiments 3 and 4 with an odd-even task) occurred concurrently with the stages for the maintenance of prioritized information (long cue-and-interference/interruption interstimulus interval, e.g., Experiments 1 and 3) or the deployment of attention (short cue-and-interference/interruption interstimulus interval, e.g., Experiments 2 and 4). Our results demonstrate that perceptual interference or cognitive interruption attenuates the dimension-based RCB. These findings suggest that sustained attention is necessary for the effective prioritization of a specific dimension of VWM representations.

Keywords: working memory; visual memory; memory (cognition); cognitive processes; attention

Free keywords: visual short-term memory; retro-cue; dimension; interference; dual task; sustained attention

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2