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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
Bend but don't break: Prioritization protects working memory from displacement but leaves it vulnerable to distortion
Ziyao Zhang1, Jarrod A Lewis-Peacock1
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
Abstract:
Perceptual distraction distorts visual working memory representations. Previous research has shown that memory responses are systematically biased towards passively viewed visual distractors that are similar to the memoranda. However, it remains unclear whether the prioritization of one working memory representation over another reduces the impact of perceptual distractors. We designed a study with five different types of visual distraction that varied in engagement and found evidence for both subtle distortions and catastrophic failures of memory. Importantly, prioritization protected working memories from catastrophic loss (fewer "swap errors") but rendered them more vulnerable to distortion (greater attractive "biases" towards the distractor). Our findings demonstrate that prioritization does not simply protect working memory from any and all interference, but rather it reduces the likelihood of catastrophic disruption from perceptual distraction at the cost of an increased likelihood of distortion.
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