Temporal integration: The role of an auditory interference task on serial dependence

Abstract

In this research, the role of an auditory memory task in modulating serial dependence was investigated. Serial dependence in perception ensures stability in our visual experience by integrating information from previous stimuli with current visual input, in order to make the correct inferences about the environment. The hypothesis stated that with increased cognitive load, modulated by the auditory discrimination task, the strength of serial dependence would increase. Two conditions were tested, one without an auditory task and a control no-load trial. Results suggested that serial dependence does increase with the addition of an auditory task as there was a significant difference between mean adjustment errors of both conditions, meaning the error was biased towards previous input in the auditory condition. This suggests that inducing additional mental load in memory, with auditory input for example along with visual, does indeed affect how visual information is integrated and that it increases the strength of serial dependence.Keywords: Serial dependence, temporal integration, frequency discrimination, visual working memory, auditory working memory, perceptual decision making.