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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
10:38

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Concurrent working memory load may increase or reduce cognitive interference depending on the attentional set.

Fernando G Luna1, Maïka Telga2, Miguel A Vadillo3

  • 1Instituto de Investigaciones Psicologicas (IIPsi).

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance
|April 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Cognitive control manages perceptual interference. Working memory load can surprisingly reduce interference by directing attention, demonstrating counterintuitive benefits in visual attention tasks.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Visual Perception
  • Attention Studies

Background:

  • Perceptual grouping causes interference when targets and distractors merge.
  • Cognitive control and stimulus features can modulate this interference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how working memory load affects perceptual interference.
  • To determine if dual-tasking benefits or hinders target selection based on attentional focus.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments involving participants responding to a central arrow's direction.
  • Concurrent working memory load introduced via vigilance for target displacement (vertical/horizontal).

Main Results:

  • Working memory load's effect on interference varied.
  • Interference increased when dual tasking focused on grouping (horizontal displacement).
  • Interference decreased when dual tasking focused on an orthogonal dimension (vertical displacement).

Conclusions:

  • Working memory load can yield counterintuitive benefits by modulating attention.
  • Attention to grouping versus orthogonal dimensions differentially impacts interference under load.