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A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
10:38

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Two dissociable updating processes in working memory.

Yoav Kessler1, Nachshon Meiran

  • 1Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. kesslery@bgu.ac.il

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|November 5, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Working memory (WM) updating involves two distinct processes: a global process ensuring stability and a local process enabling flexibility. These processes, measured by reaction time (RT), operate independently to manage cognitive information.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Memory

Background:

  • Working memory (WM) is crucial for temporary information storage and manipulation.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of WM updating is key to cognitive function.
  • Previous models proposed unified updating processes, lacking detailed component analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dissociable components of working memory updating.
  • To differentiate between processes providing stability and flexibility in WM.
  • To determine the reaction time (RT) characteristics of these updating components.

Main Methods:

  • Participants performed WM tasks involving tracking 1-3 items (digits or figures).
  • Trials varied in item similarity to the previous trial, manipulating the need for updating.
  • Reaction times were analyzed to identify distinct updating process costs.

Main Results:

  • Two independent reaction time (RT) components corresponding to global and local updating were identified.
  • Global updating cost depended on set size, not modified items, indicating stability.
  • Local updating cost depended on modified items, not set size, indicating flexibility.

Conclusions:

  • Working memory updating is achieved through the coordinated action of two distinct processes: global and local.
  • Global updating protects WM contents from interference, while local updating allows for flexible changes.
  • New updating requires dismantling previously formed representations through global updating.