The impact of object working memory on timing created by Cuihua Bi, Xiangyong Yuan, Xiting Huang

Nontemporal information processing involving short-term memory requirements disturbs time estimation. Previous studies mostly used letters or digits, which are maintained in working memory by phonological loops. Since verbal and nonverbal information are processed by separate working-memory subsystems, how do nonverbal, object-based memory tasks affect time estimation? We manipulated visual object memory load using the magic cube materials. Participants were divided into three groups, who completed a reaction-time task (control task), a memory-recognition task interposed by an attempt to produce a 2500-ms time interval (active processing), and a memory-recognition task following time interval production (passive retention). The produced time increased with increasing memory-object size under both the active processing and passive retention conditions; mean produced time interval did not significantly differ between the two experimental conditions. By comparing the reaction times and error rates of a relevant task, we excluded any speed–accuracy tradeoff during timing. This result suggests that when the working-memory information to be processed includes objects requiring attention for retention, the production of time intervals is also affected by memory item maintenance.