Abstract
This study examines with a dual-task method whether visuo-spatial rehearsal within working memory can be divided into spatial and visual rehearsal components. Experiment 1 showed interference effects from both a complex-tapping task and a shifting-spatial attention task on a visual-pattern recall test that involves spatial-movement processing. Experiments 2 showed no effects from a simple-tapping task, and a shifting spatial-attention task on a visual-pattern recognition test that does not involve spatial-movement processing. These results suggest that the complex-tapping task and the shifting spatial-attention task do not interfere with visual rehearsal, and, moreover, that the mechanisms of visuo-spatial rehearsal in working memory may be divided into visual and spatial rehearsal, component mechanisms.
