Abstract：
Visual working memory (VWM) can selectively filter task-irrelevant information from incoming visual stimuli. However, whether a similar filtering process applies to task-irrelevant information retrieved from visual long-term memory (VLTM) remains elusive. We assume a \"resource-limited retrieval mechanism\" in VWM in charge of the retrieval of irrelevant VLTM information. To make a comprehensive understanding of this mechanism, we conducted three experiments using both a VLTM learning task and a VWM task combined with pupillometry. The presence of a significant pupil light response (PLR) served as empirical evidence that VLTM information can indeed make its way into VWM. Notably, task-relevant VLTM information induced a sustained PLR, contrasting with the transient PLR observed for task-irrelevant VLTM information. Importantly, the transience of the PLR occurred under conditions of low VWM load, but this effect was absent under conditions of high load. Collectively, these results show that task-irrelevant VLTM information can enter VWM and then fade away only under conditions of low VWM load. This dynamic underscores the resource-limited retrieval mechanism within VWM, exerting control over the entry of VLTM information.
摘要：
视觉工作记忆（VWM）可以从传入的视觉刺激中选择性地过滤与任务无关的信息。然而,类似的过滤过程是否适用于从视觉长期记忆（VLTM）检索到的与任务无关的信息仍然难以捉摸。我们假设VWM中的“资源受限检索机制”负责检索无关的VLTM信息。为了全面了解这一机制，我们使用VLTM学习任务和VWM任务结合瞳孔测量进行了三个实验。显著的瞳孔光响应(PLR)的存在充当VLTM信息确实可以进入VWM的经验证据。值得注意的是,与任务相关的VLTM信息诱导了持续的PLR，与任务无关的VLTM信息观察到的瞬时PLR形成对比。重要的是,PLR的瞬态发生在低VWM负载的条件下，但这种效应在高负荷条件下是不存在的。总的来说，这些结果表明，只有在低VWM负载的情况下，与任务无关的VLTM信息才能进入VWM，然后消失。这种动态强调了VWM中资源有限的检索机制，对VLTM信息的输入施加控制。
