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Attentional Selectivity in Short‐term Memory: Similarity of Process, Not Similarity of Content, Determines Disruption
Author(s) -
Macken William,
Tremblay Sébastien,
Alford David,
Jones Dylan
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1464-066X
pISSN - 0020-7594
DOI - 10.1080/002075999399639
Subject(s) - similarity (geometry) , recall , psychology , interference theory , set (abstract data type) , process (computing) , cognitive psychology , task (project management) , perception , working memory , short term memory , content (measure theory) , sequence (biology) , cognitive science , communication , computer science , cognition , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , image (mathematics) , programming language , mathematical analysis , genetics , mathematics , management , biology , economics , operating system
Background sound substantially disrupts serial recall, even under conditions where participants are explicitly told to ignore it. Study of such a phenomenon may serve to illuminate the manner in which information from various sources interacts in memory, as well as the extent to which unattended information is processed. A review of the literature is presented that points to a number of conclusions. First, that interference occurs in memory, not on the basis of similarity of content between relevant and irrelevant material, but rather on the basis of similarity of process. Specifically, in a serial recall task, the key memory process is that of order retention, and therefore, order information in the sequence of auditory events interferes with the process of ordering within the rehearsal set. Second, that organisation and interference within memory are intimately connected with perceptual processes.