Stimulus-specific mechanisms of visual short-term memory

The retention of spatial information in visual short-term memory was assessed by measuring spatial frequency discrimination thresholds with a two-interval forced-choice task varying the time interval between the two gratings to be compared. The memory of spatial frequency information was perfect across 10-sec interstimulus intervals. Presentation of a "memory masker" grating during the interstimulus interval may interfere with short-term memory. This interference depends on the relative spatial frequency of the test and masker gratings, with maximum interference at spatial frequency differences of 1-1.5 octaves and beyond. This range of interference with short-term memory is comparable to the bandwidth of sensory masking or adaptation. A change of the relative orientation of test and masker gratings does not produce interference with spatial frequency discrimination thresholds. These results suggest stimulus-specific interactions at higher-level representations of visual form.

[1]  Bruno G. Breitmeyer,et al.  Visual masking : an integrative approach , 1984 .

[2]  William A. Phillips,et al.  Short-Term Visual Memory , 1983 .

[3]  Arthur Bradley,et al.  The effects of large orientation and spatial frequency differences on spatial discriminations , 1984, Vision Research.

[4]  S Magnussen,et al.  Visual Half-Field Symmetry in Orientation Perception , 1985, Perception.

[5]  Alex Pentland,et al.  Microcomputer-based estimation of psychophysical thresholds: The Best PEST , 1982 .

[6]  D Regan,et al.  Spatial-frequency discrimination and detection: comparison of postadaptation thresholds. , 1983, Journal of the Optical Society of America.

[7]  D. Tolhurst,et al.  Interactions between spatial frequency channels , 1978, Vision Research.

[8]  Y. Miyashita,et al.  Neuronal correlate of pictorial short-term memory in the primate temporal cortexYasushi Miyashita , 1988, Nature.

[9]  H. Intraub.  Conceptual masking: the effects of subsequent visual events on memory for pictures. , 1984, Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition.

[10]  Mark W. Greenlee,et al.  Interactions among spatial frequency and orientation channels adapted concurrently , 1988, Vision Research.

[11]  G. Orban,et al.  Decision processes in visual discrimination of line orientation. , 1986, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[12]  J. Robson,et al.  Discrimination at threshold: Labelled detectors in human vision , 1981, Vision Research.

[13]  D. Regan.  Storage of spatial-frequency information and spatial-frequency discrimination , 1985 .

[14]  C. A. Burbeck,et al.  Locus of spatial-frequency discrimination. , 1987, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and image science.

[15]  C. Blakemore,et al.  The Site of Size Constancy , 1972, Perception.

[16]  P. Lennie,et al.  Spatial frequency analysis in the visual system. , 1985, Annual review of neuroscience.

[17]  W. A. Phillips.  On the distinction between sensory storage and short-term visual memory , 1974 .

[18]  D Regan,et al.  Masking of spatial-frequency discrimination. , 1985, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and image science.

[19]  Mark W. Greenlee,et al.  The time course of adaptation to spatial contrast , 1991, Vision Research.

[20]  G. Loftus,et al.  Perceptual and conceptual masking of pictures. , 1984, Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition.

[21]  D Regan,et al.  Independence of orientation and size in spatial discriminations. , 1983, Journal of the Optical Society of America.

[22]  V. Bruce,et al.  Visual Cognition: Computational, Experimental, and Neuropsychological Perspectives , 1989 .

[23]  Diana Deutsch,et al.  Disinhibition in pitch memory , 1975 .

[24]  D. Rose,et al.  Models of the visual cortex , 1985 .

[25]  M. Greenlee,et al.  Perfect visual short-term memory for periodic patterns , 1990 .