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Updated: Nov 12, 2025
06:46
Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
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Tuning the ensemble: Incidental skewing of the perceptual average through memory-driven selection
Ryan S Williams1, Jay Pratt1, Susanne Ferber1
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto.
Summary
Visual working memory (VWM) influences perceptual averaging, even when unhelpful. Memory-matching items bias orientation judgments, showing VWM
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Perceptual averaging summarizes visual information.
- Visual working memory (VWM) dynamically interacts with perceptual averaging.
- The influence of VWM on perceptual averaging is typically studied in one direction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the obligatory influence of VWM on perceptual averaging.
- To test if VWM exerts control over perceptual averaging even when detrimental.
- To explore the role of memory-matching elements in this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments were conducted.
- Participants performed a mean orientation estimation task.
- Participants concurrently maintained a colored object in VWM.
Main Results:
- Mean orientation reports were biased towards the mean of memory-matching items.
- This bias persisted even when color was irrelevant to the task.
- Results indicate a goal-invariant influence of VWM over perceptual averaging.
Conclusions:
- VWM exerts an obligatory influence on perceptual averaging, driven by memory-matching elements.
- This influence can occur even when it hinders task performance.
- Memory-driven selection amplifies VWM's impact on perceptual judgments.
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