The effects of emotive interruptions and distractions on memory recall

Morgan, Phillip; Hughes, Nia; Williams, Craig; Ings, Fay M; Alford, Chris

Abstract

Interruptions divert attention from a task, whereas distractions occur in the background or alongside a task and can be ignored. Both can disrupt working memory (WM). However, little is known about the effects of emotive interruptions and distractions which is surprising given that they occur in many every-day and workplace settings. Take the example of a nurse suspending the programming of a drug-infusion pump for one patient (primary task) to tend to a distressing emergency involving another patient (emotive interruption). Post-interruption errors such as forgetting the suspended task step and/or entering incorrect information could have catastrophic consequences. In the current laboratory experiments, participants performed word recall primary tasks. In one experiment, to-be-remembered words were non-emotive, and trials were interrupted by emotive images varying in valence (positive versus negative scenes) and valence strength (low to high). In another experiment, to-be-remembered words were valent (positive or negative) and participants were distracted instead of interrupted by emotive images. Negative valent interruptions impaired memory recall; markedly when high in valance and positioned at task points with a high WM load. Positive valent interrupting images were also disruptive, but the degree of disruption did not depend upon WM load when interrupted. Negative valent distractions disrupted the ability to maintain WM representations of neutral, positive, and negative valent words whereas positive valent distractions were not disruptive when paired with positive valent words. Findings are discussed in relation to theories of WM, attentional capture, and attentional inhibition. Future work will employ EEG to measure differences in ERPs when interrupted and distracted by emotive stimuli.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 2015 Electrical Geodesics Summer School
• Start Date: Aug 10, 2015
• End Date: Aug 21, 2015
• Publication Date: Aug 12, 2015
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: task interruption, distraction, valence, memory recall, EEG
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/829955
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 2015 Electrical Geodesics EGI Summer School