SMOOTH PURSUIT EYE MOVEMENTS, VISUAL SHORT-TERM MEMORY, ATTENTION Running Head: Visual Short-Term Memory during Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements

Visual Short-Term Memory during Smooth Pursuit Eye Movements 2 Visual short-term memory (VSTM) was probed while observers performed smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM). SPEM keep a moving object stabilized in the fovea. VSTM capacity for position was reduced during SPEM compared to a condition with eye fixation. There was no difference between a condition in which the items moved with the pursuit target such that they were stabilized on the retina, and a condition in which the items were stationary such that they moved across the retina. The reduction of SPEM capacity for position was eliminated when miniature items were presented on the pursuit target. Similarly, VSTM capacity for color did not differ between SPEM and fixation. The results suggest that visuo-spatial attention is tied to the target during SPEM such that VSTM for the position of peripheral objects is impaired. Sensory memory during SPEM was intact and allowed for improved performance based on apparent motion cues