Visuo-spatial working memory
Abstract
This study set out to investigate the visuo-spatial component of
Baddeley and Hitch's (1974) Working Memory framework. The development
of our understanding of this component has been less dramatic than
that of its verbal counterpart, the Articulatory Loop. The primary
reason for this can be said to be the lack of techniques for
investigation (Logie, 1986). This thesis presents one attempt to try
to explore the nature of this code and to reveal possible new
techniques of investigation. The following are three possible areas
of investigation :
1. Is the system spatially or visually based?
2. Does movement have a role in the system?
3. How is information stored?
The latter two issues are investigated here. Experiments 1-4 set
out to explore the possibility that movement may be involved in the
code. These experiments supported the idea that movement has a role
to play in spatial coding and more specifically demonstrated that arm
movements which are not compatible with the presentation of spatial
material can cause disruption. In addition it was shown that when
movement identical to that involved in presentation is encouraged at
recall subjects show marked improvement in performance. Together
these results very strongly suggest that movement should be given
prominent reference in the definition of spatial coding and in the
description of the visuo-spatial slave system.
Another development that came out of these experiments relates to
the lack of investigative techniques in the field of visuo-spatial
short term memory. The fact that movement has been shown to be
important suggests that techniques employed to investigate
kinaesthetic memory will aid us in exploring visuo-spatial coding.
The second issue in this thesis explored further the nature of
the internal code. Research into the nature of coding in
visuo-spatial memory had previously argued for the presence of a
sequential component. Experiments 1-4 in this thesis had shown that
movement had an important role to play in coding. The fact that
movement by its very nature would appear to be sequential suggested
that there was a strong sequential element in coding within
visuo-spatial memory. However, concern was expressed that the
materials and presentation format used may have led to sequential
coding. This was first explored in experiments 5-8. The results
supported the view that the material and presentation format used had
led to sequential coding. This was further explored by Experiments 9
and 10 which illustrated that while it may be important under certain
conditions, sequentiality is not always a dominant element in coding
within the Visuo-Spatial Sketch Pad.
This thesis has explored two of the central issues currently
interesting theorists of Working Memory and has put forward
suggestions for techniques which may in the future help us to advance
our knowledge of the visuo-spatial component of the Working Memory
framework.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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