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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

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

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Perceptual load and enumeration: Distractor interference depends on subitizing capacity.

Joshua O Eayrs1, Nilli Lavie1

  • 1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance
|October 25, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Load theory explains attention limits by proposing limited perceptual capacity. This study shows distractors interfere only within an individual's subitizing capacity, supporting automatic parallel processing.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Perceptual Psychology

Background:

  • Attention is limited in processing capacity and selective focus.
  • Load theory posits limited, automatic, parallel perceptual processing within capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Test load theory's claims using the phenomenon of subitizing.
  • Investigate distractor interference in relation to subitizing capacity.

Main Methods:

  • Participants enumerated target shapes amidst cartoon distractors.
  • Subitizing capacity was measured by the parallel-to-serial transition slope.

Main Results:

  • Distractor interference occurred within subitizing capacity but not beyond.
  • Distractor effects were linked to individual capacity, not just set size.

Conclusions:

  • Supports load theory: perceptual processing is automatic and parallel within capacity.
  • Extends load theory to explain selective attention during enumeration.