Distinct visual working memory systems for view-dependent and view-invariant representation. Wood, J. N PLoS One, 4(8):e6601, 2009.
doi  abstract   bibtex   
BACKGROUND: How do people sustain a visual representation of the environment? Currently, many researchers argue that a single visual working memory system sustains non-spatial object information such as colors and shapes. However, previous studies tested visual working memory for two-dimensional objects only. In consequence, the nature of visual working memory for three-dimensional (3D) object representation remains unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, I show that when sustaining information about 3D objects, visual working memory clearly divides into two separate, specialized memory systems, rather than one system, as was previously thought. One memory system gradually accumulates sensory information, forming an increasingly precise view-dependent representation of the scene over the course of several seconds. A second memory system sustains view-invariant representations of 3D objects. The view-dependent memory system has a storage capacity of 3-4 representations and the view-invariant memory system has a storage capacity of 1-2 representations. These systems can operate independently from one another and do not compete for working memory storage resources. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide evidence that visual working memory sustains object information in two separate, specialized memory systems. One memory system sustains view-dependent representations of the scene, akin to the view-specific representations that guide place recognition during navigation in humans, rodents and insects. The second memory system sustains view-invariant representations of 3D objects, akin to the object-based representations that underlie object cognition.
@Article{Wood2009,
  author   = {Justin N Wood},
  journal  = {PLoS One},
  title    = {Distinct visual working memory systems for view-dependent and view-invariant representation.},
  year     = {2009},
  number   = {8},
  pages    = {e6601},
  volume   = {4},
  abstract = {BACKGROUND: How do people sustain a visual representation of the environment?
	Currently, many researchers argue that a single visual working memory
	system sustains non-spatial object information such as colors and
	shapes. However, previous studies tested visual working memory for
	two-dimensional objects only. In consequence, the nature of visual
	working memory for three-dimensional (3D) object representation remains
	unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, I show that when sustaining
	information about 3D objects, visual working memory clearly divides
	into two separate, specialized memory systems, rather than one system,
	as was previously thought. One memory system gradually accumulates
	sensory information, forming an increasingly precise view-dependent
	representation of the scene over the course of several seconds. A
	second memory system sustains view-invariant representations of 3D
	objects. The view-dependent memory system has a storage capacity
	of 3-4 representations and the view-invariant memory system has a
	storage capacity of 1-2 representations. These systems can operate
	independently from one another and do not compete for working memory
	storage resources. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide
	evidence that visual working memory sustains object information in
	two separate, specialized memory systems. One memory system sustains
	view-dependent representations of the scene, akin to the view-specific
	representations that guide place recognition during navigation in
	humans, rodents and insects. The second memory system sustains view-invariant
	representations of 3D objects, akin to the object-based representations
	that underlie object cognition.},
  doi      = {10.1371/journal.pone.0006601},
  keywords = {19668380},
}

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