工作记忆中的注意焦点转换：更新和背景存取过程

Switching of the Focus of Attention in Working Memory: Processes of Updating and Context Access

摘要: 本文考察工作记忆中注意焦点转换的更新和背景存取过程。两个实验要求被试在工作记忆中暂时储存三个数字，并对这三个数字进行一系列运算。实验1设置两种运算序列：“提取且更新序列”要求被试每次提取三个数字中的一个，并对这一数字进行更新；“提取序列”只要求被试提取数字，而无需对数字更新。结果显示，“提取且更新序列”中的转换代价大于“提取序列”中的转换代价。实验2要求被试每次使用一个算式的结果替代三个数字中的一个，并设置两种运算条件：在“更新条件”下，算式的结果与被替代的数字不同；在“非更新条件”下，算式的结果与被替代的数字相同。结果显示，“更新条件”下的转换代价大于“非更新条件”下的转换代价；在“非更新条件”下，注意焦点只需在背景位置之间转换，也存在显著的转换代价。两个实验的结果说明，注意焦点转换包括更新和背景存取过程。

Abstract: The study investigated processes of updating and context access in switching of the focus of atten-tion in working memory. Two experiments required participants to apply successive operations to three digits in working memory. Experiment 1 consisted of two operating sequences. In “retrieval and updating sequence”, participants had to retrieve one of three digits, and update this digit. “Retrieval sequence” only required participants to retrieve the digits, but without the requirement to update the digits. Results showed that switching costs were larger in “retrieval and updating sequence” than in “retrieval sequence”. Experiment 2 required participants to use the results of equations to replace one of three digits, and two operating conditions were consisted. The results of equations were the same as the digits it replaced for “non-updating condition”, and different for “updating condition”. Results showed that switching costs were larger in “updating condition” than in “non-updating condition”, and switching costs were significant in “non-updating condition”, in which only context access was included. The present results demonstrated that processes of updating and context access were involved in switching of the focus of attention.