Does visual search have memory - Essay Example

? Visual search is a perceptual task that requires attention in scanning the visual environment of a particular object. Brook and Shell denote that visual search with or without the use of an eye (2006). Visual search is better explained by this example, a person looking for a mango amongst oranges. By scientifically studying this element of visual search, an individual makes use of a simple, and a well described search item (Brook and Shell, 2006). For instance, an individual will seek to look for a dark, short and slim man. This description identifies a particular kind of person, and thus makes it possible for the search to continue. After the description of the target, the visual system is assessed by establishing the factors that affect the time of identifying whether the target is present or absent. This is an element of cognitive architecture. The time taken in identifying whether the target is present or absent is referred to as reaction time. However there are factors that affect the effectiveness of the search. On this note, the element of distractors emerges. Distractors are the factors that affect the effectiveness of the search, and when they increase, the reaction time also increases. Various scholars disagree on the whether memory plays a role in this phenomenon of visual search (Horowitz and Wolfe, 1998). However, some scientists argue that there is no way a visual search can achieve success without the use of memory. They base their argument on the fact that memory is involved in processing a large volume of information. This is complimented by the fact that information processed can take the form of an image, meaning, or even sound. To effectively determine whether visual search has memory, it is important to define the meaning of memory in the context of psychology. Memory refers to the structures, and processes in which an individual stores and retrieves information. Widel and Peters (2000) denote that memory is an important element of a human being, because it enables him to efficiently operate in the present, or the future. Take an example of a student studying for his exams. He has to know the location of his books, so that he can read and prepare for the exams. In the exam room, the student has to answer questions by relying on his memory, which contains information from his readings, and from the teacher. According to Brook and Shell (2006), a type of memory that directly relates to visual search is visual working memory. Visual working memory refers to the interaction between the processing, and the manner in which the memory stores, encodes, and retrieves neural information. Widel and Peters (2000) denote that visual working memory occurs over a short period of time, and it preserves the characteristics of an individual that pertains to some parts of their senses. Woodman et al (2001) denote that visual working memory enable an individual to retrieve information that relates to the images of an object under representation. This paper analyzes on whether visual search has a memory. This paper takes a stand that visual search has a memory. It identifies the importance of working memory during the process of visual search, and outlines the theories developed which support this notion. This paper gives practical examples on how working memory is an essential component of the process of visual search, justifying its arguments that visual search has a memory. This paper has a conclusion, which is a summary of the main points addressed in it. Various researchers denote that requires temporary memory which is essential for processing temporary information. On this note, working memory is a presequite for supporting the ability of the brain to retain, manipulate and accrue information, over a short period of time. Researchers denote that working memory has the capability to support sentence construction during the process of communication. It also has the ability to integrate information across blinks, and to solve visual problems by presenting solutions. On this note, there are two ways in which working memory is crucial for anybody to achieve success during the process of visual search. One use of working memory in the process of visual search is the transfer of the target item into the working memory, while an individual performs the search. Scholars argue that, the target object will draw attention of the searcher, and it will automatically incorporate itself into the working memory of the said individual (Horowitz and Wolfe, 1998). For instance, a football sports fan waving a placard while the player is about to take a penalty shootout. This action will automatically enter into the working memory of the player, and affect his performance inside the pitch. In the example above, a placard is an item that represents a target object, and therefore it is maintained in the visual working memory of an individual. Another method in which working memory is crucial for achieving success during the process of visual search by acting as a bias in relation to similar representations stored in the visual working memory. For instance, the representation of the object in the visual working memory of an individual determines the nature of inputs selected during the process of search. For example, the representation of an individual in the working memory of a searcher can be tall, dark and slim. While conducting a search, the working memory of a person will process this information, and identify the person from a crowd, or fail to identify the same individual. On this note, visual search entails the use of a working memory to identify a target whose representations are stored in the given memory (Wolfe, 1999). The Features Integration Theory supports the notion that visual search has a memory. This theory was developed by Garry Gelade and Anne Treisman in 1980. This theory denotes that when a person perceives a stimulus, objects are automatically registered, and identified separately at a later stage during the stage of processing. According to the theory, there are some visual search tasks which are inefficient (Woodman et al, 2001). This is because, the objects under consideration requires a specific perceptual attention, for purposes of binding their characteristics into object representations. This makes it possible for the storage of the objects representation in an object file. In this case, an object file refers to the visual working memory of an individual (Kristjansson, 2000). Proponents of this theory denote that limited information is passed during the process of visual search. On this note, when an object receives much attention, chances are high that the object will receive representation in the working memory of an individual. This allows a behavioral response from the individual in case he identifies the object during the process of visual search. For instance, if a task involves looking for an orange, the more attention given to the actual representation of an orange, the faster the image sticks on the working memory of an individual (Widel and Peters, 2000). On this note, it becomes easier for the individual to identify an orange amongst a group of apples. By basing on this theory, for an individual to achieve success during the process of visual search, there must be the use of a memory. Another theory that supports this notion is the theory of visual attention. This theory denotes that representations of objects are encrypted into the visual working memory of an individual, and thereafter categorized basing on the similarity of the target object (Widel and Peters, 2000). Attention refers to the process of concentrating on one object, while ignoring the other objects. Its similarity to the features integration theory is that the more attention is on a particular object, the higher the chances of the representation of the object to stick on the visual working memory of an individual. This theory denotes that the working memory plays an integral part in visual search. According to the proponents of this theory, working memory temporarily stores information for purposes of analyzing it. Information stored in the working memory comes from the object which receives more attention, and this process is termed as competitive selection (Woodman et al, 2001). In regard to this theory, for visual search to achieve success, it must have a memory. To conclude this argument, it is essential to denote that visual search has a memory. Memory is an essential element that determines the survival of an individual in the society. No person can do without a memory, and all the five senses of a human being require memory in order to effectively function. For instance, when a person conducts a visual search, he or she is looking for an object that has a visual representation on his or her mind. It is impossible to look for an object that a person does not know about. The question to ask is how can a person look for an object or material that he or she does not know about? If the same individual knows of an object, how possible is it for him or her to identify the object without a memory? The most obvious answer to this question is that an individual will require memory to effectively conduct a search. The memory under consideration is the visual working memory. Bibliography: Brook, D., & Shell, D. (2006). Working Memory, Motivation, and Teacher-Initiated Learning . Journal of Science Education and Technology, 15(1), 17-30. Horowitz, T.S., & Wolfe, J.M. (1998) Visual Search Has No Memory. Nature, 357: 575-577 PDF file Kristjansson, A. (2000). In search of remembrance: Evidence for memory in visual search.Psychological Science, 11, 328-332. - PDF file Widel, M., & Peters, R. (2000). Eye Fixations on Advertisements and Memory for Brands: A Model and Findings. Marketing Science, 19(4), 297-312. Wolfe, J. M (1999). Inattentional amnesia. In V. Coltheart (Ed.), 94. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press Woodman, G., Vogel, E. K., & Luck, S. J. (2001). Visual Search Remains Efficient When Visual Working Memory Is Full. Psychological Science, 12(3), 219-224. Read More