The Temporal Dynamics of Retro-Cue Benefits in Visual Working Memory: Feature Cue VS. Spatial Cue

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/t82ez_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-02-15T21:42:44Z
• Authors: Lijing Guo; Dan Nie; Lingcong Zhang; Chaoxiong Ye
• Keywords: Dynamics; Feature (linguistics)

This study investigated the temporal dynamics of retro-cue benefits (RCBs) in visual working memory (VWM), focusing on differential effectiveness feature-based (color and orientation) spatial retro-cues. Across four experiments, we systematically varied cue-probe delays to compare how rapidly effectively these cue types enhanced performance. Results showed that both retro-cues improved performance when sufficient time was provided, but timing magnitude RCBs significantly by type feature properties. Color-based generated more than cues, likely due automatic processing color. In contrast, orientation-based required longer produce benefits, reflecting their reliance sequential attentional processes. Spatial while efficient, additional convert positional information into representations. These findings highlight critical role properties determining efficiency suggest are not a homogeneous category, as varies depending inherent attributes feature. The emphasizes need for feature-specific frameworks designing VWM experiments models, particularly examining mechanisms retro-cueing.