View article

Previous studies have shown that visual working memory (VWM) representations can be strengthened by pre-cues presented prior to the memory display, as well as retro-cues presented after the memory display, providing evidence for attentional orienting playing a role in memory encoding and maintenance. However, it is known from attentional orienting studies that cueing can lead to a biphasic effect, where facilitation is followed by inhibition–a phenomenon known as inhibition of return. Here we explored whether pre-and retro-cues lead to inhibition of return within VWM. In Experiment 1, a cue was shown before a sample display consisting of various colors, with SOAs of 200 ms and 400 ms. After a 1000 ms delay, one of the colors was tested using a continuous color wheel. Experiment 1 showed that the pre-cue increased the probability of an item being encoded in VWM at the short SOA, whereas probability …