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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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

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

Published on: July 16, 2015

Integrating working memory capacity and context-processing views of cognitive control.

Thomas S Redick¹, Randall W Engle

¹School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. thomas.redick@gatech.edu

Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006)

|June 7, 2011

Summary

Individuals with low working memory capacity (WMC) struggle with cognitive control tasks. This study suggests their difficulties stem from failing to maintain context, supporting executive-attention and context-processing theories.

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Published on: September 20, 2020

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience

Background:

Low working memory capacity (WMC) is linked to cognitive control deficits.
Theories include executive-attention, context-processing, and inhibition views.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between WMC and context-processing abilities.
To test predictions derived from executive-attention and context-processing theories.

Main Methods:

Participants with varying WMC performed the AX-Continuous Performance Test.
Context-processing performance was measured using accuracy and response times.

Main Results:

Low-WMC individuals made more errors on AX and BX trials.
Low-WMC individuals were slower on AX, BX, and BY trials.
Results align with context-maintenance deficits.

Conclusions:

Findings support both executive-attention and context-processing theories.
Impaired context maintenance contributes to cognitive control deficits in low-WMC individuals.