Retro-Cue Effect: The Retro-Cue Is Effective When and Only When Working Memory Consolidation Is Inadequate

The retro-cue effect (RCE) describes the finding that participants' working memory performance is enhanced when their attention is directed to the to-be-tested position by a spatial cue during the retention interval. Here, we explore the relationship between RCE and working memory consolidation. A sequential display retro-cue paradigm is used for the present study. In Experiments 1A and 1B, longer consolidation time (CT) completely erased the standard RCE. In Experiment 2, longer CT diminished the RCE in a standard simultaneous display retro-cue paradigm. In Experiment 3, the post-cue time was used by participants to further consolidate memory traces. In Experiment 4, longer CT protected memory representations from invalid cue costs. Our results support a consolidation account of the RCE: the retro-cue is effective when and only when the working memory consolidation is inadequate.

Automated summary

The retro-cue effect (RCE) enhances working memory performance when attention is directed to the tested position during the retention interval. This study investigates the relationship between RCE and working memory consolidation. Longer consolidation time erased the standard RCE in Experiments 1A and 1B. In Experiment 2, longer consolidation time diminished the RCE in a simultaneous display paradigm. Experiment 3 showed that post-cue time was used to consolidate memory traces. Experiment 4 demonstrated that longer consolidation time protected memory representations from invalid cue costs. The results support a consolidation account of the RCE.