View in EDS

Tracking the Unconscious: Neural Evidence for the Retention of Unaware Information in Visual Working Memory.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Tracking the Unconscious: Neural Evidence for the Retention of Unaware Information in Visual Working Memory.
Authors: Gambarota, Filippo (AUTHOR), Luria, Roy (AUTHOR), Maffei, Antonio (AUTHOR), Dell'Acqua, Roberto (AUTHOR), Tsuchiya, Naotsugu (AUTHOR), Sessa, Paola (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. Mar2026, Vol. 38 Issue 3, p497-508. 12p.
Subjects: Visual memory, Visual perception, Implicit memory, Neural pathways, Applied sciences
Abstract: This study investigates the retention of visual information in visual working memory (VWM) when individuals are unaware of it, aiming to provide clear-cut evidence for an unconscious VWM effect. To explore the underlying neural mechanisms, we monitored a critical ERP component, specifically the contralateral delay activity (CDA), which reflects VWM maintenance. Participants performed a change detection task in which to-be-memorized Gabor patches were presented at a visibility threshold, determined to assess subjective awareness using the Perceptual Awareness Scale. Participants performed above chance level in the change detection task even when the visibility of the Gabor patches was subthreshold, indicating retention of visual information without conscious awareness. Notably, in a subsample of participants, a reliable CDA amplitude was observed during unaware trials, in which participants performed correctly, compared to trials with incorrect responses. As a proof of concept, this finding indexed short active maintenance of unaware visual information in VWM, which could be used to perform VWM-based tasks. In conclusion, the results of our study support the existence of an active retention of unaware visual information in VWM. These findings challenge the notion of entirely activity-silent working memory by showing that unconscious information is maintained through active neural firing (CDA), potentially transitioning to activity-silent mechanisms in later phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience is the property of MIT Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:This study investigates the retention of visual information in visual working memory (VWM) when individuals are unaware of it, aiming to provide clear-cut evidence for an unconscious VWM effect. To explore the underlying neural mechanisms, we monitored a critical ERP component, specifically the contralateral delay activity (CDA), which reflects VWM maintenance. Participants performed a change detection task in which to-be-memorized Gabor patches were presented at a visibility threshold, determined to assess subjective awareness using the Perceptual Awareness Scale. Participants performed above chance level in the change detection task even when the visibility of the Gabor patches was subthreshold, indicating retention of visual information without conscious awareness. Notably, in a subsample of participants, a reliable CDA amplitude was observed during unaware trials, in which participants performed correctly, compared to trials with incorrect responses. As a proof of concept, this finding indexed short active maintenance of unaware visual information in VWM, which could be used to perform VWM-based tasks. In conclusion, the results of our study support the existence of an active retention of unaware visual information in VWM. These findings challenge the notion of entirely activity-silent working memory by showing that unconscious information is maintained through active neural firing (CDA), potentially transitioning to activity-silent mechanisms in later phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:0898929X
DOI:10.1162/JOCN.a.100