Phenomenology of Visuo-spatial Working Memory Task Performance
Aleš Oblak, Anka Slana Ozimič, Grega Repovš, Urban Kordeš
November 12, 2021 DOI: 10.31231/osf.io/5843r (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key findings | Argues that the validity and interpretation of psychological task data can be supplemented by understanding participants' experience of solving the task. Ethnographic descriptions show that individuals experience the same visuo-spatial working memory task in different ways, with bodily feelings, emotional atmosphere, and mood shaping the overall experience. Proposes that a neurophenomenology of visuo-spatial working memory is possible and has methodological implications. |
Abstract
In experimental cognitive psychology, objects of inquiry have typically been operationalized with psychological tasks. If we are interested in measuring the target phenomena, we must inquire into the validity of the task; that is, to what extent does the task elicit the phenomenon in question. If we subscribe to the second view, evaluating the validity and the interpretation of the gathered data can be supplemented by understanding the experience of solving psychological tasks. The aim of the present article is to investigate how individuals experience performing a psychological task, specifically, a visuo-spatial working memory task. We present ethnographic descriptions of different ways individuals can experience the same task. We focus on aspects of experience that comprise the overall sense of experience (e.g., bodily feelings, emotional atmosphere, mood). We discuss the methodological implications of our findings and the possibility of conducting a neurophenomenology of visuo-spatial working memory.
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Citations in the library
Cites 8
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- Anticipating seizure: pre-reflective experience at the center of neuro-phenomenology. Consciousness and Cognition September 1, 2007
- Reorganization of the connectivity between elementary functions as a common mechanism of phenomenal consciousness and working memory: from functions to strategies. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences September 19, 2018
- Extensive Phenomenological Overlap between Induced and Naturally-Occurring Synaesthetic Experiences bioRxiv Preprint Server August 3, 2020
and 3 more in the library