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Binding of intrinsic and extrinsic features in working memory
Ullrich K H Ecker1, Murray Maybery1, Hubert D Zimmer2
1School of Psychology.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|May 31, 2012
Summary
Feature binding in visual working memory is not always automatic. Binding intrinsic object features is obligatory, unlike extrinsic background context, impacting recognition differently.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Feature binding in working memory is debated, particularly its automaticity.
- Understanding how visual information is integrated is crucial for cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether feature binding mechanisms in visual working memory differ based on perceived object coherence.
- To determine if the binding of intrinsic (intra-item) versus extrinsic (contextual) features is automatic.
Main Methods:
- Experiments involved binding color and shape features.
- Color was manipulated as either intrinsic to the shape or extrinsic to its background.
- Participants performed shape recognition tasks under varying conditions of feature relevance and encoding.
Main Results:
- Intrinsic color significantly affected shape recognition, even when incidental.
- Extrinsic color did not influence shape recognition, irrespective of encoding and retrievability.
- Binding of intrinsic features appears obligatory, while extrinsic feature binding is not.
Conclusions:
- The distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic features is a key principle in visual working memory.
- This principle has implications for understanding perception and long-term memory.
- Automaticity in feature binding depends on whether features are perceived as part of a coherent object.
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