Visual search strategies in children: A reflection of working memory processes?

Abstract

Visual search is not only less accurate but also less organized in children than in adults. However, visual search strategies in children have not been extensively studied and they are not evaluated in clinical practice. Working memory could play a critical role for the execution and the maintaining of a visual search strategy. Few studies if any have explored the links between visual search organization and working memory in children. In the present study, 54 primary school children performed a cancellation task (Bells test) and working memory tests (span tasks). Our results suggested that, contrary to visual search accuracy, visual search organization was significantly linked to working memory and, more specifically, to the efficiency of the central executive component. There is, thus, a real need to better understand the visual search process and to improve its assessment with cancellation tests in clinical practice.

Keywords: child; executive functions; search organization; visual search; working memory.