title: The bilateral field advantage effect in memory precision.
abstract: Previous research has demonstrated that visual working memory performance is better when visual items are allocated in both left and right visual fields than within only one hemifield. This phenomenon is called the bilateral field advantage (BFA). The BFA is thought to be driven by an enhanced probability of storage, rather than by greater precision. In the present experiments, we sought to test whether the BFA can also extend to precision when the parameters of the task are modified. Using a moderate number of to-be-remembered items and 400 ms presentation time, we found better precision in the bilateral condition than in the unilateral condition. The classic BFA was still found in the form of an enhanced probability of storage, when presentation time was 200 ms. Thus, the BFA appears to convey both enhanced precision and greater probability of storage. The BFA is most likely due to the allocation of more attentional resources, when items are presented in both left and right visual fields.
authors.affiliation: 1 Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of Jyvaskyla, Jyvaskyla, Finland.
authors.forename: Chaoxiong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: Debi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.affiliation: 1 Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: 1 Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Chengbo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: 1 Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Bilateral field advantage; Memory precision; Visual working memory