Dissecting the Neural Focus of Attention Reveals Distinct Processes for Spatial Attention and Object-Based Storage in Visual Working Memory

Psychological Science
Nicole HakimEdward K Vogel

Abstract

Complex cognition relies on both on-line representations in working memory (WM), said to reside in the focus of attention, and passive off-line representations of related information. Here, we dissected the focus of attention by showing that distinct neural signals index the on-line storage of objects and sustained spatial attention. We recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) activity during two tasks that employed identical stimulus displays but varied the relative demands for object storage and spatial attention. We found distinct delay-period signatures for an attention task (which required only spatial attention) and a WM task (which invoked both spatial attention and object storage). Although both tasks required active maintenance of spatial information, only the WM task elicited robust contralateral delay activity that was sensitive to mnemonic load. Thus, we argue that the focus of attention is maintained via a collaboration between distinct processes for covert spatial orienting and object-based storage.

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Citations

Oct 17, 2019·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Nicole HakimEdward K Vogel
Sep 9, 2020·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Wen JinFreek van Ede
Aug 24, 2019·Journal of Cognition·Kirsten C S Adam, Megan T deBettencourt
May 30, 2019·Attention, Perception & Psychophysics·Andrew Hollingworth, Brett Bahle
Dec 21, 2019·Scientific Reports·Christine SalahubStephen M Emrich
Feb 4, 2021·Journal of Neurophysiology·David W SuttererGeoffrey F Woodman
Mar 7, 2021·Cerebral Cortex·Nicole HakimEdward K Vogel
May 24, 2021·International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology·Vanessa D Ruiz-StovelGeisa B Gallardo-Moreno
Oct 16, 2020·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Chong Zhao, Geoffrey F Woodman
Aug 25, 2021·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Abhijit RajanMingzhou Ding
Oct 13, 2021·Current Biology : CB·Nicole HakimMonica D Rosenberg
Dec 30, 2021·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience·Johanna KreitherSteven J Luck

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