Development of memory for pattern and path: Further evidence for the fractionation of visuo-spatial memory

Evidence from a number of sources now suggests that the visuo-spatial sketc hpad (VSSP) of working memory may be composed of two subsystems: one for ma intaining visual information and the other for spatial information. In this paper we present three experiments that examine this fractionation using a developmental approach. In Experiment 1, 5-, 8-, and 10-year old children were presented with a visuo-spatial working memory task (the matrices task) with two presentation formats (static and dynamic). A developmental dissoc iation in performance was found for the static and dynamic conditions of bo th tasks, suggesting that the activation of separable subsystems of the VSS P is dependent upon a static/dynamic distinction in information content rat her than a visual/spatial one. A highly similar pattern of performance was found for a mazes task with static and dynamic formats. However, one strate gic activity, the use of simple verbal recoding, may also have been respons ible for the observed pattern of performance in the matrices task. In Exper iments 2 and 3 this was investigated using concurrent articulatory suppress ion. No evidence to support this notion was found, and it is therefore prop osed that static and dynamic visuo-spatial information is maintained in wor king memory by separable subcomponents of the VSSP.