Visual attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on a particular aspect of information while ignoring other perceivable information. It is a state of active, selective, and focused awareness that is necessary for efficient information processing. Working memory is a cognitive system that allows individuals to temporarily store and manipulate information to complete complex tasks such as problem-solving and reasoning. Emotion is a complex mental state that is characterized by physiological, behavioral, and cognitive changes. Emotion can influence attention and working memory by biasing the focus of attention and the content of working memory. The cognitive mechanisms of visual attention, working memory, emotion, and their interactions are all interrelated.
Although it is known that some brain areas (e.g., amygdala, prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex) are involved in visual attention, working memory, and emotion, the cognitive mechanisms and neural bases of these processes and their interactions are not fully understood. This Research Topic article collection will focus on research that investigates these important cognitive functions of human beings, including the mechanisms and neural basis of their interactions. The Research Topic solicits brief, novel, forward-looking, and high-quality papers from researchers around the globe that explore the mechanisms and interactions of visual attention, working memory, and emotion process, aiming to gain a better understanding of how the mind works and how these factors influence each other.
This Research Topic aims to bring together research on visual attention, working memory, and emotion from related disciplines including cognitive neuroscience, psychology, computer sciences, etc. We welcome original research or systematic reviews on any of these three important cognitive processes and their interactions.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
• Cognitive mechanisms and neural bases of visual attention or working memory;
• Interaction between visual attention and working memory;
• Affective neuroscience, neural bases of emotions, examining emotion process and its interactions with attention and memory utilizing cognitive methods;
• Affective computing, AI-based emotion recognition and analysis, emotion analysis in human-computer interaction;
• Novel methods and tools used to investigate attention, working memory, or emotion process
Keywords: Visual attention, Working memory, Emotional effect, Cognitive mechanism, Neural network
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
