Visuospatial Working Memory as a Fundamental Component of the Eye Movement System

Abstract

Humans make frequent movements of the eyes (saccades) to explore the visual environment. Here we argue that visuo-spatial working memory (VSWM) is a fundamental component of the eye movement system. Memory representations in VSWM are functionally integrated at all stages of orienting, from selection of the target, to maintenance of visual features across the saccade, to processes supporting the experience of perceptual continuity after the saccade, to the correction of gaze when the eyes fail to land on the intended object. VSWM is finely tuned to meet the challenges of active vision.