Active processing in visuo-spatial working memory

The findings of recent research have motivated a theoretical distinction between active and passive components of visuo-spatial working memory, but investigation of the active component has been inhibited by the absence of appropriate experimental tasks. We propose a new experimental procedure involving the mental reconstruction of pictures of objects from fragmented pieces. The results allow one to identify variables affecting the active elaboration of visuo-spatial material, and they support a capacity theory of active visuo-spatial processing. The roles of mental rotation, visual complexity, and processing load are evaluated. Furthermore, this procedure is proposed as a tool to investigate the architecture of visuo-spatial working memory and the relationship between peripheral modality-specific and central amodal processes.