Short-term storage capacity for visual objects depends on expertise

TY - JOUR

T1 - Short-term storage capacity for visual objects depends on expertise

AU - Sørensen, Thomas Alrik

AU - Kyllingsbæk, Søren

PY - 2012/6

Y1 - 2012/6

N2 - Visual short-term memory (VSTM) has traditionally been thought to have a very limited capacity of around 3–4 objects. However, recently several researchers have argued that VSTM may be limited in the amount of information retained rather than by a specific number of objects. Here we present a study of the effect of long-term practice on VSTM capacity. We investigated four age groups ranging from pre-school children to adults and measured the change in VSTM capacity for letters and pictures. We found a clear increase in VSTM capacity for letters with age but not for pictures. Our results indicate that VSTM capacity is dependent on the level of expertise for specific types of stimuli.

AB - Visual short-term memory (VSTM) has traditionally been thought to have a very limited capacity of around 3–4 objects. However, recently several researchers have argued that VSTM may be limited in the amount of information retained rather than by a specific number of objects. Here we present a study of the effect of long-term practice on VSTM capacity. We investigated four age groups ranging from pre-school children to adults and measured the change in VSTM capacity for letters and pictures. We found a clear increase in VSTM capacity for letters with age but not for pictures. Our results indicate that VSTM capacity is dependent on the level of expertise for specific types of stimuli.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Attention

KW - Short term memory

KW - Capacity

U2 - 10.1016/j.actpsy.2012.04.004

DO - 10.1016/j.actpsy.2012.04.004

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0001-6918

VL - 140

SP - 158

EP - 163

JO - Acta Psychologica

JF - Acta Psychologica

IS - 2

ER -