Selective attention to elements in working memory

Abstract

Three experiments with an arithmetic working memory task examine the object switch effect first reported by Garavan (1998), which was interpreted as evidence for a focus of attention within working memory. Experiments la and 1b showed object switch costs with a task that requires selective access to items in working memory, but did not involve counting, and did not require updating of working memory contents, thus ruling out two alternative explanations of Garavan's results. Experiment 2 showed object switch costs with a task that req Show more