Cross-modal and intra-modal binding between identity and location in spatial working memory: The identity of objects does not help recalling their locations.
In this study we tested incidental feature-to-location binding in a spatial task, both in unimodal and cross-modal conditions. In Experiment 1 we administered a computerised version of the Corsi Block-Tapping Task (CBTT) in three different conditions: the first one analogous to the original CBTT test; the second one in which locations were associated with unfamiliar images; the third one in which locations were associated with non-verbal sounds. Results showed no effect on performance by the addition of identity information. In Experiment 2, locations on the screen were associated with pitched sounds in two different conditions: one in which different pitches were randomly associated with locations and the other in which pitches were assigned to match the vertical position of the CBTT squares congruently with their frequencies. In Experiment 2 we found marginal evidence of a pitch facilitation effect in the spatial memory task. We ran a third experiment to test the same conditions of Experiment 2 with a within-subject design. Results of Experiment 3 did not confirm the pitch-location facilitation effect. We concluded that the identity of objects does not affect recalling their locations. We discuss our results within the framework of the debate about the mechanisms of "what" and "where" feature binding in working memory.
a Department of Human Sciences , Università Europea , Roma , Italy.
Claudia
C
Del Gatto
a Department of Human Sciences , Università Europea , Roma , Italy.
Riccardo
R
Brunetti
b College of Arts and Sciences , Lawrence Technological University , Southfield , MI , USA.
Franco
F
Delogu
D000293:Adolescent; D001307:Auditory Perception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011939:Mental Recall; D065852:Spatial Memory; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult
Corsi Block-Tapping Task; Incidental feature binding; Visuospatial working memory