Distraction control processes in free recall: benefits and costs to performance

Marsh, J. E., Sörqvist, P., Hodgetts, H. M., Beaman, C. P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5124-242X and Jones, D. M. (2014) Distraction control processes in free recall: benefits and costs to performance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition, 41 (1). pp. 118-133. ISSN 0278-7393 doi: 10.1037/a0037779

Abstract/Summary

How is semantic memory influenced by individual differences under conditions of distraction? This question was addressed by observing how visual target words—drawn from a single category—were recalled whilst ignoring spoken distracter words that were either members of the same, or members of a different (single) category. Working memory capacity (WMC) was related to disruption only with synchronous, not asynchronous, presentation and distraction was greater when the words were presented synchronously. Subsequent experiments found greater negative priming of distracters amongst individuals with higher WMC but this may be dependent on targets and distracters being comparable category exemplars. With less dominant category members as distracters, target recall was impaired – relative to control – only amongst individuals with low WMC. The results highlight the role of cognitive control resources in target-distracter selection and the individual-specific cost implications of such cognitive control.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/36903
Identification Number/DOI	10.1037/a0037779
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM) Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Language and Cognition Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Cognition Research (CCR)
Uncontrolled Keywords	Auditory Distraction; Working Memory Capacity; Source Monitoring; Free Recall, Negative Priming, Inhibition
Publisher	American Psychological Association.
Publisher Statement	This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record
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