Visual vs. Spatial Contributions to Microsaccades and Visual-Spatial Working Memory

Microsaccade rates and directions were monitored while observers performed a visual working memory task at varying retinal eccentricities. We show that microsaccades generate no interference in a working memory task, indicating that spatial working memory is at least partially insulated from oculomo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joshua T. Gaunt, Bruce Bridgeman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2014-03-01
Series:Journal of Eye Movement Research
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Online Access:https://bop.unibe.ch/JEMR/article/view/2375
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Summary:Microsaccade rates and directions were monitored while observers performed a visual working memory task at varying retinal eccentricities. We show that microsaccades generate no interference in a working memory task, indicating that spatial working memory is at least partially insulated from oculomotor activity. Intervening tasks during the memory interval affected microsaccade patterns; microsaccade frequency was consistently higher during concurrent spatial tapping (no visual component) than during exposure to dynamic visual noise (no task). Average microsaccade rate peaked after appearance of a fixation cross at the start of a trial, and dipped at cue onset and offset, consistent with previous results. Direction of stimuli in choice tasks did not influence microsaccade direction,however.
ISSN:1995-8692