Effects of pattern complexity on information integration: Evidence from eye movements

Abstract

The present study employed empty cell localization paradigm and eye-tracking method to investigate the effects of memorized stimuli complexity on information integration between in visual short-term memory (VSTM) and visual perception. Two arrays of dots were displayed in sequence within a grid. Between the two arrays, one cell was always empty, and the participants' task was to specify the location of this "missing dot" It was found that the accuracy decreased as dot pattern of array 1 increased in complexity, especially under long ISI condition. The analysis of eye movement behavior, especially fixation location, demonstrated that participants were more likely to try to remember the location of the empty cells of array 1 other than locations of dots. From aspect of eye movement, these results offered the first evidence supporting convert-and-compare hypothesis. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.