Visual memory for objects in natural scenes: from fixations to object files

Benjamin W. Tatler, Iain D. Gilchrist, Michael F. Land

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    98 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Object descriptions are extracted and retained across saccades when observers view natural scenes. We investigated whether particular object properties are encoded and the stability of the resulting memories. We tested immediate recall of multiple types of information from real-world scenes and from computer-presented images of the same scenes. The relationship between fixations and properties of object memory was investigated. Position information was encoded and accumulated from multiple fixations. In contrast, identity and colour were encoded but did not require direct fixation and did not accumulate. In the current experiments, participants were unable to recall any information about shape or relative distances between objects. In addition, where information was encoded we found differential patterns of stability. Data from viewing real scenes and images were highly consistent, with stronger effects in the real-world conditions. Our findings imply that object files are not dependent upon the encoding of any particular object property and so are robust to dynamic visual environments.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)931-960
    Number of pages30
    JournalQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. A, Human Experimental Psychology
    Volume58A
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005

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