Reorganization of spatial configurations in visual working memory

Human beings have to constantly process multiple objects in visual working memory (VWM). Positional relations to other objects known as spatial configurations contribute significantly to the organization of information in VWM. The aim of our study was to clarify whether spatial configurations can be reorganized to a subset of objects during maintenance. Participants were shown an array of objects, and afterwards the objects disappeared. A valid cue was shown either during encoding or maintenance to highlight the side of the following probed object. Afterwards, the objects reappeared and participants were instructed to detect whether or not a particular object changed its location. We manipulated the configurations at retrieval regarding the number of objects, ranging from all objects to a single object. Our first and second experiment investigated reorganization for a number of six and 12 objects, respectively. In the third experiment, we used a retro cue only and manipulated eye movements (free view vs. enforced fixation). While showing that reorganization of spatial configurations during maintenance is possible in principle, we found some boundary conditions. There was no spatial configuration effect when participants had to fixate. Thus, eye movements are required for a configuration effect to occur.