ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2015, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (9): 1523-1530.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2015.01523

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The Functional Impact of Working Memory Contents on Visual Perception

LUO Qianying1; PAN Yi2   

  1. (1 Experimental Centre for Mental Health Education and Consulting, Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics,
    Hangzhou 310018, China) (2 Department of Psychology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China)
  • Received:2015-03-09 Online:2015-09-15 Published:2015-09-15
  • Contact: PAN Yi, E-mail: yipan@hznu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Because working memory and perception are primary cognitive constructs in human information processing system, elaborating interactions between the two is scientifically important to reveal the nature of human information processing. Working memory and perception are commonly believed to interact with each other on several levels. One important aspect of such interactions is the functional impact of working memory contents on visual perception. The present article reviews existing literature on the modulation of visual perception by working memory contents. It is concluded that the contents of working memory can guide perceptual selection, enhance perceptual sensitivity and alter perceptual experience. And it is suggested that the underlying mechanism of such memory effects on perception may be the top-down modulation during working memory maintenance.

Key words: working memory, perceptual selection, perceptual sensitivity, perceptual experience