Abstract
Traditionally, visual working memory has been studied using laboratory tasks whose components are relatively clear, and where relatively little practice is involved. Few researchers have studied the role of visual working memory in complex tasks involving several components or whether this role changes with increased expertise on the tasks under study. This paper reports two experiments using secondary task methodology to study the role of visual working memory in learning a complex computer game “SPACE FORTRESS”. Unlike earlier studies of working memory, the primary task relies on perceptuo-motor skills and accurate timing of responses as well as short and long term strategic decisions. Results showed that during early stages of training important components of the game were disrupted by secondary visuo-spatial tasks more than by secondary verbal tasks. With increased practice, this differential disruption by visuo-spatial tasks seemed to change. These results are interpreted in terms of a visual working memory system that plays an important but changing role during learning of complex skills. Theoretical implications of these results for the characteristics of a visual working memory system within the context of the Baddeley and Hitch (1974) working memory framework will be discussed.
Published Version
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