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The beneficial effect of time in simple and complex working memory span tasks
1Department of Psychology, University of Zurich.
Summary
Increasing free time improves memory recall in both simple and complex span tasks. Cognitive load in complex tasks is due to distractor interference, not free time effects.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Memory
Background:
- Immediate serial recall, or simple span tasks, benefit from increased temporal separation between items.
- Complex span tasks involve interleaved distractor tasks, where reducing cognitive load improves performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of free time on memory performance in simple versus complex span tasks.
- To investigate the relationship between cognitive load, distractor interference, and free time in memory recall.
Main Methods:
- Experiments manipulated the amount of free time between items in both simple and complex span tasks.
- Analyzed memory accuracy and response time as a function of free time and task type.
Main Results:
- Increased free time improved memory recall in both simple and complex span tasks following the same time-accuracy function.
- The detrimental effect of distractor tasks in complex span was independent of the benefits of free time.
- Free time appeared to additionally benefit complex spans by strengthening episodic memory, unlike simple spans.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive load in complex span tasks arises from a combination of distractor interference and the benefits of increased free time.
- Free time plays a dual role in memory, enhancing general recall and specifically bolstering episodic memory in complex tasks.
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