Effects of motor congruence on visual working memory

Abstract

Grounded-cognition theories suggest that memory shares processing resources with perception and action. The motor system could be used to help memorize visual objects. In two experiments, we tested the hypothesis that people use motor affordances to maintain object representations in working memory. Participants performed a working memory task on photographs of manipulable and nonmanipulable objects. The manipulable objects were objects that required either a precision grip (i.e., small items) or a power grip (i.e., large items) to use. A concurrent motor task that could be congruent or incongruent with the manipulable objects caused no difference in working memory performance relative to nonmanipulable objects. Moreover, the precision- or power-grip motor task did not affect memory performance on small and large items differently. These findings suggest that the motor system plays no part in visual working memory.

Appendix

Objects used in the small (manipulable) category in Experiments 1 and 2 (in parentheses is the grip that is consistent with the orientation shown on the picture: Right-handed, Left-handed, or Both):

allen key (R), band aid (B), battery (B), chess piece (B), chocolate (B), cigar (B), clothes peg (B), coffee filter (B), dart (L), dice (B), key chain (B), paperclip (B), pen (R), pencil (L), pin (R), teabag (B), tweezer (L), nut (for bolt) (B)

Objects used in the large (manipulable) category in Experiments 1 and 2:

Apple (B), axe (R), badminton racket (L), blow-dryer (R), carpet-beater (R), corkscrew (L), door handle (L), dumbbells (B), frying pan (L), hair trimmer (R), hairbrush (R), hammer (B), handheld blender (R), pair of pliers (B), screwdriver (R), soda can (B), toilet brush (L), watering can (R)

Objects used in the neutral (nonmanipulable) category in Experiment 1:

Air vent, arc monument, chimney, extraction pipe, high voltage sign, lighthouse, memorial stone, monument, office building, roof tiles, statue, traffic beacon, traffic lights, traffic sign, traffic sign (2), traffic sign (3), wall, windmill

Objects used in the neutral (nonmanipulable) category in Experiment 2:

air balloon, air vent, antenna, antenna, arc, ashtray, autumn Leaf, barrel, bird house, bridge, bridge (2), bridge (3), building, bust, cactus, cat cage, chimney, climbing frame, clock, clock (2), clock (3), column, commemorative stone, concrete block, crib, exhaust pipe, factory, flat, garbage can, garden shed, glass roof, gutter, high voltage sign, lamppost, large vase, lattice, letterbox, lighthouse, living room table, monument, monument (2), mountain, plant, pole, power plant, pyramid, seashell, sign (emergency exit), signpost, smoke detector, speaker, statue, statue (2), stone table, stone, stone (2), surveillance camera, tile floor, tiles, tombstone, tower, tower (2), traffic light, traffic sign, traffic sign (2), traffic sign (3), traffic sign (4), traffic sign (5), traffic sign (6), wall, water hydrant, wind mill