Modality dependence and intermodal transfer in the Corsi Spatial Sequence Task: Screen vs. Floor

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human Factors

Background:

• The Corsi Spatial Sequence Task (CSST) is a standard measure of spatial working memory.
• Previous research highlights the spatial processing demands inherent in the CSST.
• The impact of integrating physical movement (walking) into CSST recall remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different presentation and reproduction modalities affect performance on the CSST.
• To determine the specific spatial working memory processes engaged by screen-based versus walking-based CSST versions.
• To examine the combined effects of encoding and recall modalities on spatial task performance.

Main Methods:

• A within-subject design tested four CSST modality conditions: Screen-Screen, Screen-Floor, Floor-Screen, and Floor-Floor.
• Encoding involved visual presentation on a screen or spatial layout on a floor.
• Recall involved screen-based reproduction or actual walking to reproduce the sequence.

Main Results:

• Performance decreased with increasing sequence length, consistent with working memory limitations.
• The Screen-Screen condition yielded the best performance.
• Walking-based recall conditions (Floor-Screen, Floor-Floor, Screen-Floor) significantly impaired performance due to increased spatial demands like reference frame transformation and spatial updating.

Conclusions:

• The CSST's spatial demands are amplified when walking is involved in the recall phase.
• Walking-based CSST requires additional working memory resources for spatial updating, reference frame transformation, and motor control.
• These findings suggest that physical embodiment influences spatial working memory capacity and task performance.