Pre-existing long-term memory facilitates the formation of visual short-term memory

Abstract

To understand more naturalistic visual cognition, a growing body of research has investigated how pre-existing long-term memory (LTM) influences representations and processes actively engaged in visual short-term memory (VSTM). Prior research on LTM and the representation aspect of VSTM, such as the number of retained VSTM items or VSTM storage capacity, has yielded mixed findings. However, converging evidence from different experimental approaches suggests that pre-existing LTM reliably modulates the initial process of transferring fragile sensory inputs into durable VSTM contents. Here, we review recent findings along this line of research and discuss potential mechanisms for future investigations. We find that pre-existing LTM facilitates the formation of VSTM even though it may not replace the limited VSTM storage capacity. These findings, therefore, highlight the importance of assessing how pre-existing LTM affects the mental processes underlying naturalistic visual cognition.