Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
Conflict monitoring and adjustment in the task-switching paradigm under different memory load conditions: an
Yuqin Deng1, Yan Wang, Xiaoqian Ding
1aSchool of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Institute of Neuroinformatics, Dalian University of Technology bInterdisciplinary Center for Social and Behavioral Studies, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics cCentre for Psychological Health & Education, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian, China dDepartment of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to examine electrophysiological and behavioral changes caused by different memory loads in a task-switching paradigm. A total of 31 healthy individuals were subjected to a task, in which the stimulus-response reversal paradigm was combined with the task-switching paradigm. The event-related potentials were recorded and the N2 component, an index of conflict processing, was measured. In addition, the neural sources of N2 were further analyzed by standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. The event-related potential results showed that high memory load triggered a higher N2 mean amplitude. Moreover, the standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography data showed that high memory load caused an increase in current densities at the anterior cingulate cortex and the prefrontal cortex in the task-switching paradigm. In summary, our findings provide electrophysiological evidence to interpret possible influences of memory loads on conflict monitoring and modulation during the task switching. These results imply that the working memory load overrules the influence of task-switching performance on the intensification of cognitive control.
