Impact of Working Memory Load on Cognitive Control in Trait Anxiety: An ERP Study

摘要: Whether trait anxiety is associated with a general impairment of cognitive control matter debate. This study investigated whether and how experimentally manipulated working memory (WM) load modulates the relation between control. question was using dual-task design in combination event-related potentials. Participants were required to remember either one (low WM load) or six letters (high while performing flanker task. Our results showed that high disrupted participants' ability overcome distractor interference this effect exacerbated for trait-anxious (HTA) group. exacerbation reflected by larger effects (i.e., incongruent minus congruent) on reaction times (RTs) N2 amplitudes HTA group than low under load. The two groups, however, did not differ their inhibit task-irrelevant distractors load, as indicated both RTs amplitudes. These findings underscore significance WM-related demand contributing presence (or absence) deficit anxiety. Furthermore, our show when limited resources are depleted individuals exhibit less efficient recruitments inhibition distractors, therefore resulting greater degree response conflict.