Event-related potentials differentiate perceptual and short-term memory-related theory of visual attention (TVA) parameters
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1
Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
Bundesen´s formal computational Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) claims that the general capacity of visual attention can be modeled by two independent parameters, processing speed (C) and short-term memory storage capacity (K). Its neural interpretation (NTVA) explains a wide range of effects on visual attention derived from behavioral studies and single cell recordings. However, brain imaging methods have not been used to establish neural correlates of parameters, yet. Aim of the present study was to investigate whether TVA parameters (C and K) are reflected by distinct EEG measures of visual perception and working memory. We expected processing speed C to be related to early visual components (P1/N1) which have been associated with effort and task difficulty. Furthermore, storage capacity K was assumed to be mirrored in the Contralateral-Delay-Activity (CDA) which has been associated with working memory load. First, TVA parameters were assessed by a whole-report task (briefly presented unilateral letter arrays). Following this, ERPs were measured in an adapted design using bilateral arrays, allowing the analysis of event-related lateralizations. Behavioral and EEG measurements were subjected to ANOVAs and correlation analyses to verify the relation between TVA parameters and EEG components. In line with our hypotheses, analyses confirmed that high (relative to low) processing speed was associated with longer latencies of P1/N1, while high (relative to low) storage capacity was associated with a CDA enhancement. These results demonstrate that the specificity of the TVA-based attentional capacity parameters is indeed reflected in their relation to distinct perceptual and working memory storage-related ERP components. Funding: Supported by Elitenetzwerk Bayern.
Keywords:
Cognition,
EEG
Conference:
XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Poster Sessions: Neurophysiology of Cognition and Attention
Citation:
Wiegand
I,
Töllner
T,
Müller
HJ and
Finke
K
(2011). Event-related potentials differentiate perceptual and short-term memory-related theory of visual attention (TVA) parameters.
Conference Abstract:
XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI).
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00327
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Received:
22 Nov 2011;
Published Online:
28 Nov 2011.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Iris Wiegand, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany, iris.wiegand@psy.lmu.de