Selective Attention Supports Working Memory Maintenance by Modulating Perceptual Processing of Distractors

摘要: Selective attention has been shown to bias sensory processing in favor of relevant stimuli and against irrelevant or distracting perceptual tasks. Increasing evidence suggests that selective plays an important role during working memory maintenance, possibly by biasing to-be-remembered items. In the current study, we investigated whether may also support potentially information. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while subjects (n = 22) performed a delayed-recognition task for faces shoes. The delay period was filled with face shoe distractors. Behavioral performance impaired when distractors congruent domain (e.g., distractor faces) relative incongruent memory). If attentional is indeed functionally supporting predicted be attenuated are more behaviorally intrusive they nonintrusive. As such, faces, as measured face-sensitive N170 ERP component, would reduced context (face) (shoe) memory. elicited demonstrated amplitude versus These results suggest due most maintenance.