Differential distraction effects in short-term and long-term retention of pictures and words

Picture and word triads were followed by single visual and acoustic distraction tasks and by both tasks in sequence. Short-term retention between and within modalities differed as a function of type of distraction. Individual subject-recall probabilities for each single distraction condition failed to predict performance in the sequential dual-distraction conditions, underestimating performance for words and overestimating performance for pictures. A final delayed recall showed a reversal among distraction conditions within each modality, such that the best short-term retention condition (visual distraction) was poorest in long-term retention. However, long-term retentions of pictures was superior to that of words across all distraction conditions and irrespective of level of short-term retention. The results were interpreted in terms of separate acoustic and visual processing systems and the level of individual item processing within each system as a function of the type of interference originally expected.