Representation of dynamic spatial configurations in visual short-term memory

Locations of multiple stationary objects are represented on the basis of their global spatial configuration in visual short-term memory (VSTM). Once objects move individually, they form a global spatial configuration with varying spatial inter-object relations over time. The representation of such dynamic spatial configurations in VSTM was investigated in six experiments. Participants memorized a scene with six moving and/or stationary objects and performed a location change detection task for one object specified during the probing phase. The spatial configuration of the objects was manipulated between memory phase and probing phase. Full spatial configurations showing all objects caused higher change detection performance than did no or partial spatial configurations for static and dynamic scenes. The representation of dynamic scenes in VSTM is therefore also based on their global spatial configuration. The variation of the spatiotemporal features of the objects demonstrated that spatiotemporal features of dynamic spatial configurations are represented in VSTM. The presentation of conflicting spatiotemporal cues interfered with memory retrieval. However, missing or conforming spatiotemporal cues triggered memory retrieval of dynamic spatial configurations. The configurational representation of stationary and moving objects was based on a single spatial configuration, indicating that static spatial configurations are a special case of dynamic spatial configurations.