Comparison processes in visual short-term memory

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) is a limited capacity store of recently viewed visual information. VSTM plays a number of roles in vision, including the maintenance of object correspondences and the detection of change (Luck, 2006). To perform these roles, a core aspect of VSTM function requires comparison of current-input (from the eyes) with VSTM-held representations of previously viewed material (Hyun et al., 2009; Pilling et al. 2020).

The main project-aim is to understand the mechanics of this internal comparison process. A core issue is the frames-of-reference used, specifically the circumstances in which retinotopic (eye-centred) or spatiotopic (external) coordinate-frames are utilised in comparisons (e.g. Zerr et al., 2017; Sheremata et al., 2023). The project will use modified versions of the change-detection paradigm combined with other methods, such as eyetracking and EEG, to investigate this and related issues.

Please direct any questions about the project to Dr Michael Pilling: mpilling@brookes.ac.uk

There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.