Memory for the search path: evidence for a high-capacity representation of search history

Vision Res. 2007 Jun;47(13):1745-55. doi: 10.1016/j.visres.2007.02.010. Epub 2007 May 7.

Abstract

Using a gaze-contingent paradigm, we directly measured observers' memory capacity for fixated distractor locations during search. After approximately half of the search objects had been fixated, they were masked and a spatial probe appeared at either a previously fixated location or a non-fixated location; observers then rated their confidence that the target had appeared at the probed location. Observers were able to differentiate the 12 most recently fixated distractor locations from non-fixated locations, but analyses revealed that these locations were represented fairly coarsely. We conclude that there exists a high-capacity, but low-resolution, memory for a search path.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Fixation, Ocular
  • Humans
  • Judgment
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychophysics
  • Reaction Time
  • Saccades
  • Visual Perception*