Flexibility in working memory guidance of attention
Carlisle, Nancy Beth
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2011-07-20
Abstract
Recent work on the control of attention has focused on automatic influences of working memory representations on the guidance of attention. In this work, I present three studies questioning the auotmaticity of working memory guidance of attention.
In the first study, I examine whether goals determine the neural selection of memory-matching perceptual inputs. In the second study, I measure neural signals of the attentional enhancement and suppression of task-irrelevant memory-matches. In the final study, I use a measure of overt attention to determine if goals will create a prioritization for control among items maintained in working memory. Taken together, the results of these three studies suggest that working memory representations are used flexibly by the attentional system, in a manner consistent with the current task goals.