Although models of working memory originally included visuo-spatial me
mory as an undifferentiated component, recent work indicates that spat
ial location is separable from other visual characteristics. The evide
nce which is derived from interference, however, typically requires th
e division of conscious attention between primary and interference tas
ks. In the present experiments the differential effects of an unattend
ed flickering surround upon serial recall of a central stimulus presen
tation were investigated. Colour changes in the surround created more
interference than achromatic flicker when the task was to report eithe
r the colours or the patterns presented in the target. When the locati
ons of the targets were required, however, the situation was reversed
and the achromatic flicker created more interference than did the colo
ur flicker. It is suggested that this double dissociation of identific
ation and location is best understood in terms of differential involve
ment of the magnocellular and parvocellular pathways. (C) 1997 Elsevie
r Science Ltd.