Evidence for an olfactory store in working memory?

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that olfactory information can be temporarily retained in a modality-specific short-term memory system. The results of two experiments using short-term memory tasks supported this hypothesis. Experiment 1 showed an effect of concurrent odour memory on digit recall that was equivalent to the effect of concurrent visual memory and smaller than that of concurrent verbal memory. Experiment 2 showed a detrimental effect of concurrent odour memory on odour recognition, and no effect of concurrent verbal and visual memory tasks. Based on these findings, and on published evidence for rehearsal and imagery of olfactory information, we tentatively conclude that there is a subsystem in working memory dedicated to temporary maintenance of olfactory information.