Visual vs. Spatial Contributions to Microsaccades and Visual-Spatial Working Memory
Abstract
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.
Published
2014-03-21
How to Cite
Gaunt, J. T., & Bridgeman, B. (2014). Visual vs. Spatial Contributions to Microsaccades and Visual-Spatial Working Memory. Journal of Eye Movement Research, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.16910/jemr.7.2.2
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Articles
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Copyright (c) 2014 Joshua T. Gaunt, Bruce Bridgeman
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.