The reaction-time task-rule congruency effect is not affected by working memory load: further support for the activated long-term memory hypothesis.
Previous studies claimed that task representation is carried out by the activated long-term memory portion of working memory (WM; Meiran and Kessler in J Exp Psychol Human Percept Perform 34:137-157, 2008). The present study provides a more direct support for this hypothesis. We used the reaction-time task-rule congruency effect (RT-TRCE) in a task-switching setup, and tested the effects of loading WM with irrelevant task rules on RT-TRCE. Experiment 1 manipulated WM load in a between-subject design. WM participants performed a color/shape task switching, while having 0, 1 or 3 numerical task rules as WM load. Experiment 2 used a similar load manipulation (1 or 3 rules to load WM) in a within-subject design. Experiment 3 extended these results by loading WM with perceptual tasks that were more similar to the shape/color tasks. The results show that RT-TRCE was not affected by WM load supporting the activated long-term memory hypothesis.
Kessler
Yoav
Y
Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105 Beer-Sheva, Israel. ykessler@rotman-baycrest.on.ca
Meiran
Nachshon
N
D006801:Humans; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011930:Reaction Time