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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
High-Level and Low-Level Awareness01:19

High-Level and Low-Level Awareness

Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Sensory Memory01:14

Sensory Memory

Sensory memory captures information from the environment in its original form for a very brief duration, just long enough to be exposed to visual, auditory, and other senses. This type of memory is detailed and rich but quickly lost unless certain strategies are employed to transfer it into short-term or long-term memory. Sensory information is continuously bombarding the human brain, yet only a small fraction is absorbed, as most of it does not significantly impact daily life. For instance,...
Subconsciousness and No Awareness01:15

Subconsciousness and No Awareness

The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
An illustrative example of subconscious processing is its role in problem-solving. Often, individuals...
Chunking01:12

Chunking

Chunking is a powerful cognitive technique that improves short-term memory retention by organizing information into smaller, more manageable units. The brain, limited by working memory capacity, can more easily process and store information when it is divided into "chunks" rather than presented as discrete, unrelated elements. Chunking is especially useful when dealing with large amounts of information, such as numerical sequences, words, or complex ideas.
The principle behind chunking is...

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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

Focused, unfocused, and defocused information in working memory.

Laura Rerko1, Klaus Oberauer

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. l.rerko@psychologie.uzh.ch

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|February 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Focusing on one item in working memory (WM) does not harm other items. Previously focused items remain strengthened, improving recognition and rejection.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Memory Research

Background:

  • Working memory (WM) is crucial for temporarily holding and manipulating information.
  • The role of attentional focus within WM on memory content is not fully understood.
  • Existing theories often conflate maintenance and attentional mechanisms in WM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how selection cues in WM affect non-selected information.
  • To determine if focusing on one WM item impacts the maintenance of other items.
  • To examine the long-term effects of attentional focus within WM.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental manipulation of attentional focus within working memory.
  • Recognition memory tasks using cued and non-cued items.
  • Analysis of probe rejection accuracy for focused and non-focused items.

Main Results:

  • Focusing on one item in WM did not impair memory for non-focused items.
  • Non-focused items were maintained in WM even without task demands.
  • Previously focused items showed enhanced memory performance (better rejection and recognition).

Conclusions:

  • Working memory involves distinct mechanisms for maintenance and attentional focus.
  • Attentional focus strengthens WM contents, with lasting effects after focus shifts.
  • Findings challenge theories proposing unified mechanisms for WM maintenance and attention.