Spatial and visuospatial working memory tests predict performance in classic multiple-object tracking in young adults, but nonspatial measures of the executive do not

Trick, Lana M.; Mutreja, Rachna; Hunt, Kelly K.

doi:10.3758/s13414-011-0235-2

Cited by 23 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…A significant correlation was also observed between performance on the visual attention and auditory working memory tasks. This result is interesting in light of literature on the working memory demands of the multiple object tracking task (e.g., [ 63 ]) and suggestive of visuospatial memory demands of the digit span backwards task [ 64 ]. Several studies have shown the role of visuospatial resources in the backwards digit span task, both behaviorally (e.g., [ 65 ]) and with evidence from neuroimaging (e.g., [ 66 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Executive Function, Visual Attention and the Cocktail Party Problem in Musicians and Non-Musicians

et al. 2016

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The goal of this study was to investigate how cognitive factors influence performance in a multi-talker, “cocktail-party” like environment in musicians and non-musicians. This was achieved by relating performance in a spatial hearing task to cognitive processing abilities assessed using measures of executive function (EF) and visual attention in musicians and non-musicians. For the spatial hearing task, a speech target was presented simultaneously with two intelligible speech maskers that were either colocated with the target (0° azimuth) or were symmetrically separated from the target in azimuth (at ±15°). EF assessment included measures of cognitive flexibility, inhibition control and auditory working memory. Selective attention was assessed in the visual domain using a multiple object tracking task (MOT). For the MOT task, the observers were required to track target dots (n = 1,2,3,4,5) in the presence of interfering distractor dots. Musicians performed significantly better than non-musicians in the spatial hearing task. For the EF measures, musicians showed better performance on measures of auditory working memory compared to non-musicians. Furthermore, across all individuals, a significant correlation was observed between performance on the spatial hearing task and measures of auditory working memory. This result suggests that individual differences in performance in a cocktail party-like environment may depend in part on cognitive factors such as auditory working memory. Performance in the MOT task did not differ between groups. However, across all individuals, a significant correlation was found between performance in the MOT and spatial hearing tasks. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that musicianship and performance on the MOT task significantly predicted performance on the spatial hearing task. Overall, these findings confirm the relationship between musicianship and cognitive factors including domain-general selective attention and working memory in solving the “cocktail party problem”.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Executive Function, Visual Attention and the Cocktail Party Problem in Musicians and Non-Musicians

et al. 2016

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“…Previous research has shown that tracking capacity during MOT is directly related to spatial working memory capacity in typical adults (Allen et al 2006; Cavanagh and Alvarez 2005), predicting much of the individual variability in MOT capacity (Trick et al 2012). As working memory deficits have been reported in autism for static displays (Bennetto et al 1996; Lopez et al 2005; Luna et al 2007; Poirier et al 2011; Russo et al 2007), though see (Griffith et al 1999; Ozonoff and Strayer 2001; Russell et al 1996) it certainly seems possible that deficits in working memory capacity in ASD could at least partially explain the current results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Object Tracking in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Koldewyn

Weigelt

Kanwisher

et al. 2012

J Autism Dev Disord

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Difficulties in visual attention are often implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but it remains unclear which aspects of attention are affected. Here, we used a multiple object tracking (MOT) task to quantitatively characterize dynamic attentional function in children with ASD aged 5–12. While the ASD group performed significantly worse overall, the group difference did not increase with increased object speed. This finding suggests that decreased MOT performance is not due to deficits in dynamic attention but instead to a diminished capacity to select and maintain attention on multiple targets. Further, MOT performance improved from 5–10 years in both typical and ASD groups with similar developmental trajectories. These results argue against a specific deficit in dynamic attention in ASD.

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“…Listening and vocalizing did not affect performance; it was the act of preparing a vocal response that was harmful. MOT measures sustained attention over time, depending on visuospatial working memory (Trick, Mutreja, & Hunt, ) and other processes; however, the role that selective spatial attention plays in this complex task is unknown. Importantly, MOT does not typically require the deployment of attention across a wide field of view.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

How Speech Modifies Visual Attention

Spence

Jia

Feng³

et al. 2013

Applied Cognitive Psychology

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Auditory distractions can have serious consequences in critical situations such as driving. Mobile phones, radios, media players, and information devices that interpret and produce speech are increasingly common in vehicles, but the threats to visual attention are not yet fully understood. In three experiments, we found that most speech tasks had relatively small adverse effects on the detection of a briefly presented target among distractors across a 60°subarea of the visual field. Although there was a little impact on detectability, moderately difficult speech tasks slowed responding relative to silence. Our most demanding condition-generating and speaking a word beginning with the last letter of another word-had the greatest effects on accuracy and latency, with responding slowed by about 900 ms. An impairment of this magnitude presents a significant threat to safe driving and calls into question the belief that hands-free voice-controlled devices are the answer to the problem of driver distraction.

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Spatial and visuospatial working memory tests predict performance in classic multiple-object tracking in young adults, but nonspatial measures of the executive do not

Cited by 23 publications

References 66 publications

Executive Function, Visual Attention and the Cocktail Party Problem in Musicians and Non-Musicians

Executive Function, Visual Attention and the Cocktail Party Problem in Musicians and Non-Musicians

Multiple Object Tracking in Autism Spectrum Disorders

How Speech Modifies Visual Attention

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