Simulating working memory guiding visual attention for capturing target by computational cognitive model

Abstract

There are two opposite views on whether working memory can guide visual attention. Some researchers have reported that the contents of working memory guide visual attention for capturing target efficiently. However, others reported that they could not find any evidence of attention capture by working memory. In this study, it tried to find evidence for the first view with computer simulation. Two models based on two hypotheses were set up in simulating the simplified 4x4 Sudoku problem solving by which an fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) experiment was performed at the same time. One model is based on working memory guiding visual selective attention assumption while the other is based on no guiding random attention assumption. Both of the models predict the response time (RT) and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response. Cognitive cost analysis on the predictions shows that more cost was occupied on no guiding model resulting in more differences between fMRI real data and predictions while the other can reduce the cost and get good fitness. This study confirms the first view and shows that working memory guiding visual search for capturing target is the intelligence of human brain in reducing the cognitive cost. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.