
Spatial attention is dynamically deployed within the mental representation of visual working memory, not only in response to predictive cues, but also following expected and unexpected memory tests. Unexpected memory tests prolong the duration of this attentional re-orienting, but do not delay its onset.


coremsg

A classic distinction from the domain of external attention is that between anticipatory orienting and subsequent re-orienting of attention to unexpected events. Whether and how humans also re-orient attention ‘in mind’ following expected and unexpected working-memory tests remains elusive. We leveraged spatial modulations in neural activity and gaze to isolate re-orienting within the spatial layout of visual working memory following central memory tests of certain, expected, or unexpected mnemonic content. Besides internal orienting after predictive cues, we unveil a second stage of internal attentional deployment following both expected and unexpected memory tests. Following expected tests, internal attentional deployment was not contingent on prior orienting, suggesting an additional verification – “double checking” – in memory. Following unexpected tests, re-focusing of alternative memory content was prolonged. This brings attentional re-orienting to the domain of working memory and underscores how memory tests can invoke either a verification or a revision of our internal focus.

### Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

All data and analysis scripts are publicly available in the OSF: <https://osf.io/5wexp/>.

Re-focusing visual working memory during expected and unexpected memory tests

spatial-attentional-dynamics-in-visual-working-memory-orienting-re-orienting-and-verification-following-expected-and-unexpected-memory-tests


Spatial Attentional Dynamics in Visual Working Memory: Orienting, Re-orienting, and Verification Following Expected and Unexpected Memory Tests
