Working memory capacity as a determinant of proactive interference and auditory distraction

Article

Tehan, Gerald, Arber, Madeleine M. and Tolan, G. Anne. 2018. "Working memory capacity as a determinant of proactive interference and auditory distraction." Journal of Cognition. 1 (1), pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5334/joc.7
Article Title

Working memory capacity as a determinant of proactive interference and auditory distraction

ERA Journal ID213165
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsTehan, Gerald (Author), Arber, Madeleine M. (Author) and Tolan, G. Anne (Author)
Journal TitleJournal of Cognition
Journal Citation1 (1), pp. 1-10
Number of Pages10
Year2018
PublisherUbiquity Press, Ltd.
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN2514-4820
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5334/joc.7
Web Address (URL)https://www.journalofcognition.org/articles/10.5334/joc.7/
Abstract

Individual differences in working memory capacity are related to performance on a range of elemental and higher order cognitive tasks. The current experiment tests the assumptions of two theoretical approaches to working memory capacity: working memory as executive attention and working memory as temporary binding. These approaches are examined using a short-term updating task where proactive interference is manipulated, such that old responses have to be suppressed in favour of new responses. A second source of distraction is introduced by way of irrelevant, to-be-ignored background speech that accompanies presentation of the list items. This speech reinforces either the to-be-remembered item on the current list, or the to-be-suppressed item. Working memory capacity was significantly related to overall level of correct performance on the short-term task, and to the degree of proactive interference experienced. However, there was no evidence for individual differences in the ability to suppress the interfering foil, nor in priming effects associated with the irrelevant speech. The results provided little support for the working memory capacity as executive attention perspective, some evidence for the binding perspective, but also evidence supporting the fact that some effects of distraction are not under voluntary control.

Keywordsworking memory capacity, individual differences, auditory distraction, immediate serial recall
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520499. Cognitive and computational psychology not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Psychology and Counselling
Australian Catholic University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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