ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

›› 2012, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (2): 228-239.

• 研究前沿 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Re-examining the Role of Working Memory in Visual Search

ZHANG Bao

  

  1. (The Center for Mind and Brain, Education School, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)
  • Received:2011-06-17 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:2012-02-15 Published:2012-02-15
  • Contact: ZHANG Bao

Abstract: Visual search is a common perceptual task used to study how attention selects a particular object in the visual scene among a large number of distractors. Working memory, which is used to retain relevant information and suppress irrelevant information, has been proved to play a crucial role in visual search process, e.g., maintaining the visual search template, offering the place for matching the search template and visual search items, and preventing attention from re-orienting to the examined items. Based on the relevant evidence reviewed here, it is clear that working memory does play a role in visual search, but how it works still needs further studies.

Key words: working memory, visual search, inhibition of return