• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.359-386
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• 2010

In order to evaluate the domain-specific model and process-specific model of spatial and nonspatial working memory (WM), this study manipulated the memory load of the delayed response task and examined how the neural correlates of memory load effect was influenced by the stimulus domain (face and location) at the maintenance stage of WM using an event-related fMRI experiment. One or three face stimuli were presented as target stimuli and participants were asked to maintain the face itself (face WM) or the location of face stimuli (spatial WM). The results of recognition judgment accuracy showed no difference between face WM and spatial WM, and showed equivalent memory load effects of both WM. As a result of brian image analysis, memory load effect at maintenance stage showed that inferior, middle, and superior PFC were recruited by both face WM and spatial WM, and showed that VLPFC was the commonly activated area by both WM, supporting functional specialization of PFC by process components of WM. This study provides evidence for process-specific model in which maintenance of WM is associated with VLPFC.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2003

This study investigated the differences in processing type of working memory between experts and novices when they read music scores. Two experiments were conducted with the articulatory suppression condition. In Experiment 1, eight half notes were shown on the screen for a brief period of time, participants were then requested to write the notes on a music sheet. the stimuli were divided into two: melodious and unmelodious. In similar fashion, Experiment 2 consisted of four-chord sequences, which contained three notes each. The stimuli were also divided into two: harmonious and disharmonious. As an analysis of the results in Experiment 1 & 2, novices commonly showed better performances in the non-articulatory suppression condition than the articulatory suppression condition with both stimuli types. However, experts were relatively affected little by the articulatory suppression with harmonious stimuli. These findings support that while novices entirely depend on the articulatory loop, experts may encode the notes through the visuo-spatial sketchpad before they transfer the information to the phonological store when they are familiar with material.