Different states in visual working memory: when it guides attention and when it does not

C.N.L. Olivers; J. Peters; R. Houtkamp; P.R. Roelfsema

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2011.05.004

Different states in visual working memory: when it guides attention and when it does not

C.N.L. Olivers^*, J. Peters, R. Houtkamp, P.R. Roelfsema

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Recent studies have revealed a strong relationship between visual working memory and selective attention, such that attention is biased by what is currently on our mind. However, other data show that not all memorized items influence the deployment of attention, thus calling for a distinction within working memory: whereas active memory items function as an attentional template and directly affect perception, other, accessory items do not. We review recent evidence that items compete for the status of 'attentional template' that contains only one object at a time. Neurophysiological results provide insight into these different memory states by revealing a more intricate organization of working memory than was previously thought.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	327-334
Number of pages	8
Journal	Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Volume	15
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2011.05.004
Publication status	Published - Jul 2011

Keywords

SHORT-TERM-MEMORY
FRONTAL EYE FIELD
PREFRONTAL CORTEX
NEURAL MECHANISMS
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
MENTAL REPRESENTATIONS
ORIENTING ATTENTION
COGNITIVE CONTROL
AREA V4
SEARCH

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10.1016/j.tics.2011.05.004

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Cite this

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title = "Different states in visual working memory: when it guides attention and when it does not",

abstract = "Recent studies have revealed a strong relationship between visual working memory and selective attention, such that attention is biased by what is currently on our mind. However, other data show that not all memorized items influence the deployment of attention, thus calling for a distinction within working memory: whereas active memory items function as an attentional template and directly affect perception, other, accessory items do not. We review recent evidence that items compete for the status of 'attentional template' that contains only one object at a time. Neurophysiological results provide insight into these different memory states by revealing a more intricate organization of working memory than was previously thought.",

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author = "C.N.L. Olivers and J. Peters and R. Houtkamp and P.R. Roelfsema",

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AU - Peters, J.

AU - Houtkamp, R.

AU - Roelfsema, P.R.

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AB - Recent studies have revealed a strong relationship between visual working memory and selective attention, such that attention is biased by what is currently on our mind. However, other data show that not all memorized items influence the deployment of attention, thus calling for a distinction within working memory: whereas active memory items function as an attentional template and directly affect perception, other, accessory items do not. We review recent evidence that items compete for the status of 'attentional template' that contains only one object at a time. Neurophysiological results provide insight into these different memory states by revealing a more intricate organization of working memory than was previously thought.

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KW - PREFRONTAL CORTEX

KW - NEURAL MECHANISMS

KW - ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

KW - MENTAL REPRESENTATIONS

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