ViSA: A Neurodynamic Model for Visuo-Spatial Working Memory, Attentional Blink, and Conscious Access

• Published in: Psychological review 2012-10, Vol.119 (4), p.745-769
• Main Authors: Simione, Luca, Raffone, Antonino, Wolters, Gezinus, Salmas, Paola, Nakatani, Chie, Belardinelli, Marta Olivetti, van Leeuwen, Cees
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attention; Attention - physiology; Attentional Blink; Attentional Blink - physiology; Awareness; Awareness - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - physiology; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive Processes; Computer Simulation; Consciousness; Consciousness - physiology; Consciousness States; Cues; Eye Movements; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human; Humans; Information processing; Learning. Memory; Memory; Memory, Short-Term - physiology; Models, Biological; Nerve Net - physiology; Neural Networks (Computer); Neurology; Neuropsychology; Perceptual Masking - physiology; Psychological aspects; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Role; Self awareness; Short Term Memory; Signalling; Space Perception - physiology; Spatial Ability; Spatial analysis; Time Factors; Visual Perception; Visual Perception - physiology; Visualization; Visuospatial Memory
• ISSN: 0033-295X; 1939-1471
• DOI: 10.1037/a0029345

Two separate lines of study have clarified the role of selectivity in conscious access to visual information. Both involve presenting multiple targets and distracters: one "simultaneously" in a spatially distributed fashion, the other "sequentially" at a single location. To understand their findings in a unified framework, we propose a neurodynamic model for Visual Selection and Awareness (ViSA). ViSA supports the view that neural representations for conscious access and visuo-spatial working memory are globally distributed and are based on recurrent interactions between perceptual and access control processors. Its flexible global workspace mechanisms enable a unitary account of a broad range of effects: It accounts for the limited storage capacity of visuo-spatial working memory, attentional cueing, and efficient selection with multi-object displays, as well as for the attentional blink and associated sparing and masking effects. In particular, the speed of consolidation for storage in visuo-spatial working memory in ViSA is not fixed but depends adaptively on the input and recurrent signaling. Slowing down of consolidation due to weak bottom-up and recurrent input as a result of brief presentation and masking leads to the attentional blink. Thus, ViSA goes beyond earlier 2-stage and neuronal global workspace accounts of conscious processing limitations. (Contains 17 figures and 2 tables.)