Abstract
Children with reading difficulties often show deficits in selective visual attention (SVA), and in encoding visual information into visual working memory (VWM). We analyzed the ERP N2pc wave component, representing SVA, and the SPCN component, representing successful VWM storage, in good- and poor-reading children while they performed an object-substitution masking (OSM) task. During OSM an illusory object elicited by a mask replaces the target stimulus, particularly with delayed mask offset. Thus, we predicted that storage of the target into VWM would be hindered under delayed mask offset. Because poor readers tend to show anomalous encoding into VWM, we expected to see a reduced SPCN in these individuals. Previous research indicates that N2pc is found for both incorrect and correct trials with delayed but not with co-termination offsets. We therefore expected to find N2pc in delayed-offset trials, and that the amplitude would be reduced in poor readers due to SVA anomalies. In support of our hypothesis, results showed that N2pc was reliably elicited in children in delayed offset conditions, and suggested greater load on SVA resources in the delayed conditions in poor readers. Visual analysis of the wave components indicated SPCN in correct trials, representing successful storage of the target into VWM. Results on reading group differences are discussed in relation to current conceptualizations of SVA anomalies in poor readers.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2017