Is working memory load a critical factor in distractor processing?

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dc.contributor.authorDavis, Marion Deniseen
dc.date.accessioned2008-09-07T23:49:41Z
dc.date.available2008-09-07T23:49:41Z
dc.date.issued2007en
dc.description.abstractTo achieve goal-orientated behaviour, selective attention is often needed to filter out irrelevant information. Past research has shown that working memory (WM) plays a critical role in selective attention, with high WM load leading to more distractor interference than low WM load. However, because WM load is usually manipulated by requiring participants to hold in memory either one or several digits that were presented simultaneously while performing a selective attention task, the extent of attentional focus was not controlled. The present study examined the effect of WM load on distractor inhibition while keeping attentional focus constant by presenting one digit (low load condition) or six digits (high load condition) sequentially. The participants in the high-load condition demonstrated greater distractor interference than the participants in the low-load condition, suggesting that WM load influences distractor inhibition even when the extent of attentional focus was controlled. This result provides converging evidence to Lavie's (1995, 2005) load theory of attention and cognitive control.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/1403
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26021/7240
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Canterbury. Psychologyen
dc.relation.isreferencedbyNZCUen
dc.rightsCopyright Marion Denise Davisen
dc.rights.urihttps://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/thesesen
dc.subjectworking memory loaden
dc.subjectinhibitionen
dc.subjectdistractorsen
dc.titleIs working memory load a critical factor in distractor processing?en
dc.typeTheses / Dissertations
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychologyen
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Canterburyen
thesis.degree.levelMastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen
uc.bibnumber1056847en
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