The role of attention in binding visual features in working memory: evidence from cognitive ageing

Brown, L.A. and Brockmole, J.R., 2010. The role of attention in binding visual features in working memory: evidence from cognitive ageing. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 63, pp. 2067-2079.

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Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to assess the costs of attentional load during a feature (colour-shape) binding task in younger and older adults. Experiment 1 showed that a demanding backwards counting task, which draws upon central executive/general attentional resources, reduced binding to a greater extent than individual feature memory, but the effect was no greater in older than younger adults. Experiment 2 showed that presenting memory items sequentially rather than simultaneously, such that items are required to be maintained while new representations are created, selectively affects binding performance in both age groups. Although this experiment exhibited an age-related binding deficit overall, both age groups were affected by the attention manipulation to an equal extent. While a role for attentional processes in colour-shape binding was apparent across both experiments, manipulations of attention exerted equal effects in both age groups. We therefore conclude that age-related binding deficits neither emerge nor are exacerbated under conditions of high attentional load. Implications for theories of visual working memory and cognitive ageing are discussed.

Item Type:	Journal article
Description:	This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article whose final and definitive form, the Version of Record, has been published in The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology 2010 © Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17470211003721675.
Publication Title:	The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
Creators:	Brown, L.A. and Brockmole, J.R.
Date:	2010
Volume:	63
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1080/17470211003721675 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:35
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2016 09:10
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15138

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