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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 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

Interactions Between Modality of Working Memory Load and Perceptual Load in Distractor Processing.

Hideya Koshino¹, Pilar Olid

¹a California State University, San Bernardino.

The Journal of General Psychology

|August 15, 2015

Summary

Working memory load

Keywords:

distractor interference perceptual load visual search working memory load

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Last Updated: Apr 5, 2026

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Published on: July 16, 2015

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Published on: May 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive psychology
Human attention studies

Background:

Load theory posits perceptual load reduces distractor interference, while working memory load increases it.
Recent research suggests working memory's impact on interference may vary by modality.
The interplay between working memory, perceptual load, and distractor interference requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the interaction between working memory load and perceptual load across different modalities.
To determine if the effects of working memory load on interference are consistent regardless of stimulus modality.

Main Methods:

Experiment 1: Assessed verbal working memory load's effect on compatibility in low versus high perceptual load conditions.
Experiment 2: Examined visual working memory load's effect on compatibility across varying perceptual loads.

Main Results:

Verbal working memory load amplified interference under high perceptual load but not low.
Visual working memory load did not alter the compatibility effect, irrespective of perceptual load.

Conclusions:

The influence of working memory and perceptual load on interference is modality-dependent.
Findings suggest that the relationship between working memory load and perceptual load is not universal across sensory modalities.