Is the temporal binding effect in the Libet clock-task based in spatial working memory? A correlational and a dual-task approach

Intentional binding research attributes the shift of clock hand positions in the Libet clock task to sense of agency-related processes. We investigated the alternative theory that this binding is based on spatial working memory processes. In a correlational design in Experiment 1, 104 young healthy adults performed the Libet clock task, a second version of this task eliminating the continuous movement of the clock, and a spatial and visual 2-back task. The only evidence for the investigated theory was a correlation between outcome binding and the spatial 2-back task. In an experimental within-participant dual-task design in Experiment 2, 94 young, healthy adults did the Libet clock task in the retention intervals of spatial and visual memory tasks. We could not find conclusive evidence for an effect of spatial memory load on binding. Our results suggest that binding in the Libet clock task is not rooted in spatial working memory processes.