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Working memory may compensate for lack of attention

To remember a sequence of events, the brain focuses its efforts on the one paid the least attention

Date:
August 14, 2017
Source:
Society for Neuroscience
Summary:
A study shows that, when remembering a sequence of events, the brain focuses on the event paid the least attention, rather than replaying the events in the order they occurred. This finding suggests that attention during the initial encoding of a memory influences how information is manipulated in working memory.
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A study in eNeuro shows that, when remembering a sequence of events, the brain focuses on the event paid the least attention, rather than replaying the events in the order they occurred. This finding suggests that attention during the initial encoding of a memory influences how information is manipulated in working memory.

Anna Jafarpour and colleagues presented adults with a series of three images to remember. After a five-second delay, participants were presented with one of the images and asked whether it was shown from the same perspective (front, left or right views) as in the original sequence and in what position (1, 2 or 3) the image had been presented.

The authors found that the image that generated the weakest response in the brain during encoding was most strongly replayed during the delay period. This result may indicate that the brain addresses the limitations of working memory capacity by focusing on the event that requires the most effort to remember.


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Materials provided by Society for Neuroscience. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Anna Jafarpour, Will Penny, Gareth Barnes, Robert T. Knight, Emrah Duzel. Working-Memory Replay Prioritizes Weakly Attended Events. eneuro, 2017; ENEURO.0171-17.2017 DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0171-17.2017

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Society for Neuroscience. "Working memory may compensate for lack of attention." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 August 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814134832.htm>.
Society for Neuroscience. (2017, August 14). Working memory may compensate for lack of attention. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814134832.htm
Society for Neuroscience. "Working memory may compensate for lack of attention." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170814134832.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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