Set size effects in spatial updating are independent of the online/offline updating strategy.

Abstract

Spatial updating of self-to-object spatial relations may be performed online or offline. The set size effects in spatial updating are generally considered as a benchmark for indicating which updating strategy is used. Online updating is associated with transient egocentric representations and the presence of set size effects, whereas offline updating is associated with enduring allocentric representations and the absence of set size effects. In the present study, the updating strategy and the available spatial representations in updating were manipulated factorially. In a working memory (WM) paradigm, observers briefly learned a new layout of objects in each trial such that only the transient spatial representation was available during updating, whereas in a reference memory (RM) paradigm, observers learned the same layout of objects across trials such that both transient and enduring representations were available in updating. In both paradigms, observers were instructed to update online or offline. Set size effects showed up only in the WM paradigm but disappeared in the RM paradigm, regardless of the updating strategy. These results suggest that both updating strategies will produce set size effects if they use transient representations alone and that set size effects can be eliminated as long as enduring representations are used. These findings challenge the 2-system theories of spatial updating by showing that although online updating is naturally associated with transient spatial presentations, whereas offline updating is naturally associated with enduring representations, these default associations can be switched under manipulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).