Abstract:

In the process of visual working memory, the maintenance and manipulation of the memory items require transforming a fleeting sensory input into a durable working memory representation, which is defined as the visual working memory consolidation. In light of the “gating” role of the consolidation, the researchers have developed a variety of research paradigms to explore the mechanisms that may be involved. However, the time course and the patterns of consolidation observed under different paradigms is quite different. Moreover, there are also different views on the theoretical and neural mechanism involved in consolidation. By comparing the differences among different paradigms and sorting out the views of various parties, the solutions to these problems can be effectively promoted. In addition to verifying the consolidation model in a variety of paradigms, future researches can also explore the role of attention in consolidation and how factors such as project familiarity affect consolidation processing.

Key words: visual working memory consolidation, the time course of consolidation, the pattern of consolidation