Event Related Potential Study of Visual Selective Attention and Working Memory in Children
Date
2023-06-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
One current model of visual selective attention proposes two mechanisms that work together to achieve processing of important information: facilitation – which controls the processing of relevant target stimuli – and suppression – which works to filter out irrelevant distracting stimuli. While facilitation is seen in all ages, previous research indicates suppression develops later in childhood (Plebanek & Sloutsky 2017; 2019; Wong-Kee-You et al., 2019). One theory regarding the development of selective attention is that it is linked to the development of working memory – given the functional and neural overlap between the two processes (Downing, 2000; LaBar et al., 2019). This study investigated the developmental timeline of suppression using electrophysiological methods to create a quantitative physiological measure of facilitation and suppression during visual selective attention using the P1/N1 event related potential (ERP) components for 24 adults and 12 children (8-12 years-old). Our results reveal a suppression effect of the N1 component for adults, but not for children; suggesting that suppression may not develop before the age of 12. Additionally, we discovered children reach adult levels for visual working memory capacity between the ages of 10-12 years-old; and that for children only, visual working memory capacity has a significant interaction with attention ability. This indicates that working memory capacity develops earlier and may influence later development of selective attention skills – including suppression. Understanding the development of attention and working memory will provide useful information in creating effective classroom management strategies and enhancing the focus of task-related information to foster childhood learning.
Description
Keywords
Attention, Working Memory, EEG, ERP, P1/N1, Children, Developmental Psychology