Abstract
Previous studies have reported that a spatial tapping task impairs the retention of visuo-spatial information in working memory. We investigated the casual factors mediating the interference effects of spatial tapping on the rehearsal of visuo-spatial information within the Corsi block test in order to elucidate the visuo-spatial rehearsal system of working memory. Experiment 1 indicates that shifts in spatial attention within the tapping task performed during the retention interval impair the accuracy of recall for the Corsi block test. Experiment 2 indicates that the plan and the control of physical movements for the spatial tapping task do not affect the retention of visuo-spatial information in working memory. These findings suggest that the shifts in spatial attention within the spatial tapping task performed during the retention interval in the Corsi block test may interfere with visuo-spatial rehearsal in working memory. This implies that visuo-spatial rehearsal depends primarily on an attention control system rather than an executive motor system, suggesting, in turn, that the visuo-spatial sketchpad differs structurally from the phonological loop.
