| dc.contributor.advisor | Zald, David H. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Larcada, Liana | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2011-02-06T23:06:41Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2011-02-06T23:06:41Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2011-02-06 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1803/4725 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Working memory accounts for various types of cognitive processing, including object and spatial processing. Distraction has been demonstrated to be domain-specific with the strongest interference coming from a distractor within the same realm of processing. Emotional distractors also typically generate a strong interference effect. Using an n-back working memory task for object and spatial working memory, we tested type of distractor (erotic, negative and neutral) and phase of working memory (maintenance and encode/retrieval). We found that object working memory was the most affected by these distractors. We also found that erotic images produced the strongest interference effect and distraction in the encode/retrieval phases caused decreased performance. This study further confirms the domain-specificity of working memory and makes inferences regarding emotion theory and cognitive interference. | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Honors Program in Psychological Sciences. Mentor: Dr. David Zald | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Vanderbilt University | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Cognitive psychology | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Distraction (Psychology) | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Short-term memory | en_US |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Emotions and cognition | en_US |
| dc.title | Causes of Interference: Working Memory and Distraction | en_US |
| dc.title.alternative | Working memory and distraction | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| dc.description.school | Vanderbilt University | en_US |
| dc.description.department | Psychological Sciences | en_US |
