Rich conscious perception outside focal attention.

Summary

People can consciously perceive more items simultaneously than their visual working memory can hold. Using a technique where unattended ensemble properties are detected without reducing working memory capacity, the study shows that conscious visual experience extends beyond working memory limits.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Can we consciously see more items at once than can be held in visual working memory? This question has eluded resolution because the ultimate evidence is subjects' reports in which phenomenal consciousness is filtered through working memory. However, a new technique makes use of the fact that unattended 'ensemble properties' can be detected 'for free' without decreasing working memory capacity.