Do time-on-task effects reveal face specificity in object cognition?

ABSTRACT

Multiple experimental, neuropsychological, and individual differences studies indicated that faces are processed (e.g. perceived and memorized) differently from non-face objects. It was suggested that face specificity is a result of configural processing which is different from a rather part-based processing of other objects. In this research, we investigated the specificity of face cognition in terms of processing style. To this aim, we estimated Time-on-Task Effects (ToTEs) that allow inferring the level of automaticity of face and house processing. We collected data from 219 participants by applying four perception and recognition tasks. Generalized linear mixed-effects modelling was used to estimate fixed and random effects. Random slopes were interpreted as individual differences in ToTEs. Findings suggested that in the majority of tasks, face processing was dissociable from the processing of non-face objects. Thereby, these results offer a new perspective on the nature of differences in face and object processing.     

Searching in the sand: Protracted video deficit in U.S. preschoolers' spatial recall using a continuous search space

Young children exhibit a video deficit for spatial recall, learning less from on-screen than in-person demonstrations. Some theoretical accounts emphasize memory constraints (e.g., insufficient retrieval cues, competition between memory representations). Such accounts imply memory representations are graded, yet video deficit studies measuring spatial recall operationalize memory retrieval as dichotomous (success or failure). The current study tested a graded-representation account using a spatial recall task with a continuous search space (i.e., sandbox) rather than discrete locations. With this more sensitive task, a protracted video deficit for spatial recall was found in children 4–5 years old (n = 51). This may be due to weaker memory representations in the screen condition, evidenced by higher variability and greater perseverative bias. In general, perseverative bias decreased with repeated trials. The discussion considers how the results support a graded-representation account, potentially explaining why children might exhibit a video deficit in some tasks but not others.

Research Highlights

• The task used a continuous search space (sandbox), making it more difficult and sensitive than spatial recall tasks used in prior video deficit research.
• Spatial recall among 4- and 5-year-old children was more variable after watching hiding events on screen via live video feed than through a window.
• Children's spatial recall from screens was more susceptible to proactive interference, evidenced by more perseverative bias in an A-not-B design.
• The results demonstrate memory representations blend experiences that accumulate over time and explain why the video deficit may be protracted for more difficult tasks.

     

成人注意缺陷多动障碍在内外源冲突时的表现:眼动的证据

在注意定向与维持上,注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)个体更容易受到外部刺激的干扰而导致目标任务加工进程受阻,表现出了注意定向反应的缺陷,但导致任务失败的原因是由于对突然出现的外部无关刺激的过度兴奋还是对内源性目标刺激的持续维持能力减弱,尚不清楚。研究采用反向眼跳范式、记忆导向眼跳范式和视觉导向眼跳范式,来探索成人ADHD内外源注意定向反应的情况,以及当二者发生冲突时,成人ADHD失败的可能机制。结果发现,在反向眼跳任务上,成人注意缺陷多动障碍组错误率更高,并且差异性显著。但在记忆导向眼跳任务中,成人注意缺陷多动障碍组与正常组的差异不显著。在视觉导向眼跳任务中,成人注意缺陷多动障碍组的正确眼跳潜伏期比正常组要短,且二者之间的差异显著。这说明,在内外源刺激反应的冲突导致的情境中,成人注意缺陷多动障碍的反应明显落后于正常个体,这种缺陷并非由于其维持内源性注意产生定向反应落后所导致的,而是与其外源注意定向反应过强有关。     

客体和空间工作记忆中三维图形的特征加工时程

采用单探测变化觉察范式，对三维图形的特征在客体和空间工作记忆中的加工时程进行了探讨。实验一的材料是由不同颜色和形状组成的规则立体图形。实验二的材料是由不同颜色和图案组成的六棱柱。实验结果显示：（1）客体和空间工作记忆绩效均随识记项目数的增加而显著下降；（2）随着刺激呈现时间的延长，客体工作记忆绩效显著提高，空间工作记忆绩效无明显增加；且在三种呈现时间条件下，空间工作记忆绩效均高于客体工作记忆；（3）三维图形中颜色特征的检测绩效优于形状、图案和特征捆绑。这些结果表明，视觉工作记忆中三维图形的特征加工存在显著的时程效应，空间位置加工最早完成，其次是颜色加工，然后是形状与颜色-形状的捆绑，最后是图案与颜色-图案的捆绑。     

Unrealistic representations of “the self”: A cognitive neuroscience assessment of anosognosia for memory deficit

Three cognitive components may play a crucial role in both memory awareness and in anosognosia for memory deficit (AMD): (1) a personal data base (PDB), i.e., a memory store that contains “semantic” representations about the self, (2) monitoring processes (MPs) and (3) an explicit evaluation system (EES), or comparator, that assesses and binds the representations stored in the PDB with information obtained from the environment.We compared both the behavior and the functional connectivity (as assessed by resting-state fMRI) of AMD patients with aware patients and healthy controls. We found that AMD is associated with an impoverished PDB, while MPs are necessary to successfully update the PDB.AMD was associated with reduced functional connectivity within both the default-mode network and in a network that includes the left lateral temporal cortex, the hippocampus and the insula. The reduced connectivity between the hippocampus and the insular cortex was correlated with AMD severity.