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Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention

The perceptual load and dilution models differ fundamentally in terms of the proposed mechanism underlying variation in distractibility during different perceptual conditions. However, both models predict that distracting information can be processed beyond perceptual processing under certain condit...

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Autor principal: de Fockert, Jan W.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Frontiers Media S.A. 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659333/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23734139
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00287
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author de Fockert, Jan W.
author_facet de Fockert, Jan W.
author_sort de Fockert, Jan W.
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description The perceptual load and dilution models differ fundamentally in terms of the proposed mechanism underlying variation in distractibility during different perceptual conditions. However, both models predict that distracting information can be processed beyond perceptual processing under certain conditions, a prediction that is well-supported by the literature. Load theory proposes that in such cases, where perceptual task aspects do not allow for sufficient attentional selectivity, the maintenance of task-relevant processing depends on cognitive control mechanisms, including working memory. The key prediction is that working memory plays a role in keeping clear processing priorities in the face of potential distraction, and the evidence reviewed and evaluated in a meta-analysis here supports this claim, by showing that the processing of distracting information tends to be enhanced when load on a concurrent task of working memory is high. Low working memory capacity is similarly associated with greater distractor processing in selective attention, again suggesting that the unavailability of working memory during selective attention leads to an increase in distractibility. Together, these findings suggest that selective attention against distractors that are processed beyond perception depends on the availability of working memory. Possible mechanisms for the effects of working memory on selective attention are discussed.
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spelling pubmed-36593332013-06-03 Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention de Fockert, Jan W. Front Psychol Psychology The perceptual load and dilution models differ fundamentally in terms of the proposed mechanism underlying variation in distractibility during different perceptual conditions. However, both models predict that distracting information can be processed beyond perceptual processing under certain conditions, a prediction that is well-supported by the literature. Load theory proposes that in such cases, where perceptual task aspects do not allow for sufficient attentional selectivity, the maintenance of task-relevant processing depends on cognitive control mechanisms, including working memory. The key prediction is that working memory plays a role in keeping clear processing priorities in the face of potential distraction, and the evidence reviewed and evaluated in a meta-analysis here supports this claim, by showing that the processing of distracting information tends to be enhanced when load on a concurrent task of working memory is high. Low working memory capacity is similarly associated with greater distractor processing in selective attention, again suggesting that the unavailability of working memory during selective attention leads to an increase in distractibility. Together, these findings suggest that selective attention against distractors that are processed beyond perception depends on the availability of working memory. Possible mechanisms for the effects of working memory on selective attention are discussed. Frontiers Media S.A. 2013-05-21 /pmc/articles/PMC3659333/ /pubmed/23734139 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00287 Text en Copyright © 2013 de Fockert. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in other forums, provided the original authors and source are credited and subject to any copyright notices concerning any third-party graphics etc.
spellingShingle Psychology
de Fockert, Jan W.
Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title_full Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title_fullStr Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title_full_unstemmed Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title_short Beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
title_sort beyond perceptual load and dilution: a review of the role of working memory in selective attention
topic Psychology
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659333/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23734139
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00287
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