Long-term memory for spatial frequency: a non-replication

Cogn Process. 2023 Feb;24(1):147-152. doi: 10.1007/s10339-022-01118-w. Epub 2022 Dec 7.

Abstract

Reports on stability of spatial frequency in short-term memory span have confirmed low-level perceptual memory mechanism in early visual processing. However, some studies have also claimed evidence for high-fidelity perceptual long-term storage of spatial frequency. We report an attempted replication of Magnussen et al. (Psychol Sci 14:74-76, 2003) where participants were asked to discriminate the spatial frequency of a reference grating from a test stimulus after intervals of 5 s or 24 h. Group thresholds after 24 h were significantly higher than after 5 s, therefore failing to support long-term storage of spatial frequency.

Keywords: Long-term memory; Perceptual memory; Psychophysics; Short-term memory; Spatial frequency.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Memory, Long-Term
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Perceptual Masking*
  • Visual Perception