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The role of location in feature binding in working memory
Suaad S Al Hadhrami1, Lea M Bartsch2, Klaus Oberauer2
1Program in Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi.
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|February 5, 2026
Summary
Visual working memory uses object files to store feature bindings, not just locations. Object-file theory explains how visual features remain bound even after movement.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Visual working memory (VWM) research explores how we retain information about objects.
- Two main theories exist: object-file theory and location-binding hypothesis.
- Understanding feature binding in VWM is crucial for cognitive models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test competing hypotheses on multifeatured object representation in VWM.
- To investigate the role of object files versus spatial locations in binding features.
- To determine if feature bindings persist after object motion.
Main Methods:
- Developed an experimental paradigm integrating VWM and object-file research.
- Presented simultaneous multifeatured objects followed by a retention interval with or without motion.
- Used multinomial process tree models to analyze feature recall accuracy.
Main Results:
- Found evidence supporting the object-file theory over the location-binding hypothesis.
- Demonstrated that feature bindings within an object are maintained after motion.
- Showed that pairwise color-shape bindings are robust against motion.
Conclusions:
- Object-file theory provides a better account of multifeatured object representation in VWM.
- Spatial location is not essential for maintaining visual feature bindings.
- Feature bindings are resilient to motion, supporting integrated object representations in VWM.
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