Abstract
Previous research suggests that working memory plays an important role in visual search and change detection tasks. In fact, studies have shown that when visuospatial working memory is occupied by a task, visual search performance is compromised (Woodman & Luck, 2004). However, when an object working memory task is used to occupy working memory, visual search is efficient (Woodman, Vogel & Luck, 2001). Thus, different systems within working memory may have differential effects on visual search performance. In addition, research in our lab has shown that a concurrent object working memory task disrupts incidental change detection performance. Observers completed a working memory task in which they were asked to search the change detection video for a visual cue. Change detection was similar when observers had to store a complex visual cue compared to a simple visual cue. Building on this prior research, the present study examines change detection performance when different aspects of working memory are occupied. Observers complete a change detection task concurrently with a spatial or object working memory task similar to that used in previous research. If change detection in naturalistic scenes requires similar working memory mechanisms as visual search, visuospatial working memory and not object working memory will lead to increased change blindness.