Dynamic visual noise: No interference with visual short‐term memory or the construction of visual images

Abstract

The effects of dynamic visual noise (DVN) and static visual noise (SVN) were assessed on a visual short‐term memory (STM) task, in which a matrix pattern was briefly presented and followed by a recognition test, and a new, cumulative imagery task, in which the elements of a pattern were presented one at a time, and participants were asked to imagine the pattern formed by displaying all the elements together. When presented during the retention interval neither DVN nor SVN affected visual STM performance. The cumulative imagery task was not affected by visual noise presented either during the retention interval or concurrently while the elements of the pattern were shown. Increasing the spatial demands of the task decreased performance, but did not interact with type of visual noise. The results (1) show that DVN in relatively short bursts does not interfere with visual STM, (2) argue against the view that DVN impairs the localisation of pattern elements, and (3) provide no support for the view that concurrent DVN mandatorily disrupts the formation of visual images. The implications for studies of visual imagery and visual STM are discussed.