The Effect of Distractor Location on (Un) Prioritized Working Memory

Abstract

This thesis examined the effects of distractors and their locations on reaction time and errors in recalling prioritized versus unprioritized working memory items. Previous research agrees that prioritized items are recognized more quickly and accurately during working memory. However, there is debate about whether these items are protected from or vulnerable to distraction, with some suggesting that distractor location relative to the memory item might have differing effects. In this study, 25 participants completed a working memory recall task involving two gratings and two retro-cues. Distractors appeared either at the location as the target, away from it, on a different side, or not at all. Results showed that reaction time and errors were lower for prioritized items. Distractors at the target location or on a different side significantly impaired performance for prioritized items, but this was not the case for unprioritized items. Thus, prioritized items are more quickly and accurately recalled but are vulnerable to distraction with differing effects based on distractor location from unprioritized items.