Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests
A classic distinction from the domain of external attention is that between anticipatory orienting and subsequent re-orienting of attention to unexpected events. Whether and how humans also re-orient attention ‘in mind’ following expected and unexpected working-memory tests remains elusive. We lever...
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eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://elifesciences.org/articles/100532 |
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| author | Sisi Wang Freek van Ede |
| author_facet | Sisi Wang Freek van Ede |
| author_sort | Sisi Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A classic distinction from the domain of external attention is that between anticipatory orienting and subsequent re-orienting of attention to unexpected events. Whether and how humans also re-orient attention ‘in mind’ following expected and unexpected working-memory tests remains elusive. We leveraged spatial modulations in neural activity and gaze to isolate re-orienting within the spatial layout of visual working memory following central memory tests of certain, expected, or unexpected mnemonic content. Besides internal orienting after predictive cues, we unveil a second stage of internal attentional deployment following both expected and unexpected memory tests. Following expected tests, internal attentional deployment was not contingent on prior orienting, suggesting an additional verification – ‘double checking’ – in memory. Following unexpected tests, re-focusing of alternative memory content was prolonged. This brings attentional re-orienting to the domain of working memory and underscores how memory tests can invoke either a verification or a revision of our internal focus. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-999e8cae5beb4a44b4e893e4b5b9795f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-084X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | eLife Sciences Publications Ltd |
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| series | eLife |
| spelling | doaj-art-999e8cae5beb4a44b4e893e4b5b9795f2025-08-20T02:24:30ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2025-04-011310.7554/eLife.100532Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory testsSisi Wang0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9730-438XFreek van Ede1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7434-1751Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsInstitute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, NetherlandsA classic distinction from the domain of external attention is that between anticipatory orienting and subsequent re-orienting of attention to unexpected events. Whether and how humans also re-orient attention ‘in mind’ following expected and unexpected working-memory tests remains elusive. We leveraged spatial modulations in neural activity and gaze to isolate re-orienting within the spatial layout of visual working memory following central memory tests of certain, expected, or unexpected mnemonic content. Besides internal orienting after predictive cues, we unveil a second stage of internal attentional deployment following both expected and unexpected memory tests. Following expected tests, internal attentional deployment was not contingent on prior orienting, suggesting an additional verification – ‘double checking’ – in memory. Following unexpected tests, re-focusing of alternative memory content was prolonged. This brings attentional re-orienting to the domain of working memory and underscores how memory tests can invoke either a verification or a revision of our internal focus.https://elifesciences.org/articles/100532selective attentionworking memoryinternal attentionattentional orientingalpha oscillationsmicrosaccades |
| spellingShingle | Sisi Wang Freek van Ede Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests eLife selective attention working memory internal attention attentional orienting alpha oscillations microsaccades |
| title | Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| title_full | Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| title_fullStr | Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| title_full_unstemmed | Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| title_short | Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| title_sort | re focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests |
| topic | selective attention working memory internal attention attentional orienting alpha oscillations microsaccades |
| url | https://elifesciences.org/articles/100532 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sisiwang refocusingvisualworkingmemoryduringexpectedandunexpectedmemorytests AT freekvanede refocusingvisualworkingmemoryduringexpectedandunexpectedmemorytests |