An Asymmetry in the Visuo-Spatial Demands of Forward and Backward Recall in the Corsi Blocks Task

Abstract

In contrast to verbal span tasks, the Corsi visuo-spatial span task does not yield an advantage for forward recall order. Furthermore, while forward and backward verbal span tasks are equally impaired by a rehearsal inhibiting load, forward recall seems to be more impaired in the Corsi span task than backward recall [1]. These findings are further explored in a 2 × 2 experimental design with factors recall direction (forward versus backward) and load (single-task versus concurrent matrix tapping). Comparison of performance on a trial by trial basis showed that backward and forward recall did not behave differently with respect to identity information in single- and dual-task conditions. Recall of order information, on the contrary, was more impaired by the dual-task load in forward than in backward recall. A theoretical interpretation is offered in terms of binding of order information.