Visuo-spatial working memory

Abstract

This study set out to investigate the visuo-spatial component of
\nBaddeley and Hitch's (1974) Working Memory framework. The development
\nof our understanding of this component has been less dramatic than
\nthat of its verbal counterpart, the Articulatory Loop. The primary
\nreason for this can be said to be the lack of techniques for
\ninvestigation (Logie, 1986). This thesis presents one attempt to try
\nto explore the nature of this code and to reveal possible new
\ntechniques of investigation. The following are three possible areas
\nof investigation :
\n
\n1. Is the system spatially or visually based?
\n2. Does movement have a role in the system?
\n3. How is information stored?
\n
\nThe latter two issues are investigated here. Experiments 1-4 set
\nout to explore the possibility that movement may be involved in the
\ncode. These experiments supported the idea that movement has a role
\nto play in spatial coding and more specifically demonstrated that arm
\nmovements which are not compatible with the presentation of spatial
\nmaterial can cause disruption. In addition it was shown that when
\nmovement identical to that involved in presentation is encouraged at
\nrecall subjects show marked improvement in performance. Together
\nthese results very strongly suggest that movement should be given
\nprominent reference in the definition of spatial coding and in the
\ndescription of the visuo-spatial slave system.
\n
\nAnother development that came out of these experiments relates to
\nthe lack of investigative techniques in the field of visuo-spatial
\nshort term memory. The fact that movement has been shown to be
\nimportant suggests that techniques employed to investigate
\nkinaesthetic memory will aid us in exploring visuo-spatial coding.
\n
\nThe second issue in this thesis explored further the nature of
\nthe internal code. Research into the nature of coding in
\nvisuo-spatial memory had previously argued for the presence of a
\nsequential component. Experiments 1-4 in this thesis had shown that
\nmovement had an important role to play in coding. The fact that
\nmovement by its very nature would appear to be sequential suggested
\nthat there was a strong sequential element in coding within
\nvisuo-spatial memory. However, concern was expressed that the
\nmaterials and presentation format used may have led to sequential
\ncoding. This was first explored in experiments 5-8. The results
\nsupported the view that the material and presentation format used had
\nled to sequential coding. This was further explored by Experiments 9
\nand 10 which illustrated that while it may be important under certain
\nconditions, sequentiality is not always a dominant element in coding
\nwithin the Visuo-Spatial Sketch Pad.
\n
\nThis thesis has explored two of the central issues currently
\ninteresting theorists of Working Memory and has put forward
\nsuggestions for techniques which may in the future help us to advance
\nour knowledge of the visuo-spatial component of the Working Memory
\nframework.