Content–context binding in verbal working memory updating: On-line and off-line effects

The role of content–context binding in working memory updating has received only marginal interest, despite its undoubted relevance for the updating process. In the classical updating paradigm, the main focus has been on the process of discarding information when new information is presented. Its efficacy has been determined by measurement of the accuracy of recalled, updated information. In the current study we measured the working memory updating process directly, employing a dynamic memory task composed of alternating sequences of learning, active maintenance and updating phases. Binding was manipulated by changing the type of updating (total or partial) and the strength of the perceptual connection between items. The on-line updating process and the off-line efficacy were separately analysed. Both on-line and off-line measures indicated that partial updating conditions, where the operation of updating content–context binding was required, were more demanding than both total updating conditions and memory and maintenance phases. Our results suggest that working memory updating can be identified not only as a process of substitution of information, but also as inhibition of no longer relevant information and, above all, as a binding updating.

Research Highlights► Updating is the process responsible for the dynamic changes in working memory system, when new content is presented. ► Given the importance of binding in integrating information to form new representations, we compared content updating with content-context binding updating, employing on-line as well as off-line measures. ► These measures together indicated that when binding updating is requested, the process is more demanding and longer reaction times were obtained, compared to content updating.