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Behind the scenes: how visual memory load biases selective attention during processing of visual streams.

Peter Klaver¹, Durk Talsma

¹Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Psychophysiology

|September 11, 2013

Summary

High visual memory load increases distractibility and sustains attention to relevant stimuli. This ERP study shows memory load impacts selective attention until working memory processing is complete.

Keywords:

Attention Contingent capture EEG/ERP Working memory

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Visual Perception
Attention Studies

Background:

Visual selective attention is crucial for processing information.
The influence of memory load on attention is not fully understood.
Event-related potentials (ERPs) offer insights into neural mechanisms of attention.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if visual memory load biases visual selective attention.
To examine the neural correlates of attention under varying memory loads.
To differentiate the effects of memory load on processing relevant versus irrelevant stimuli.

Main Methods:

Participants memorized one or four letters (memory load).
Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during a visual selective attention task.
Stimuli varied in color relevance (relevant vs. irrelevant) and matching to memory.

Main Results:

Relevant color stimuli elicited larger frontal selection positivities (FSP) and occipital selection negativities (OSN) than irrelevant stimuli.
High memory load increased FSP for distractors, suggesting heightened distractibility.
Memory load prolonged OSN for all letters, indicating sustained attention until working memory processing concluded.

Conclusions:

High visual memory load can increase distractibility.
Memory load sustains attention to relevant visual stimuli until working memory processing is complete.
ERPs (FSP and OSN) effectively reveal the impact of memory load on visual selective attention.