Interference in Vibrotactile Working Memory
Author Information
Author(s): Bancroft Tyler D., Servos Philip, Hockley William E.
Primary Institution: Wilfrid Laurier University
Hypothesis
The study aims to clarify the effects of distractor timing on interference in vibrotactile working memory.
Conclusion
The study found that distractor timing affects performance in vibrotactile working memory, with early and late distractors causing overwriting effects, while middle distractors did not.
Supporting Evidence
- The study demonstrated that distractor timing significantly influences the number of correct responses in vibrotactile memory tasks.
- Results indicated a significant overwriting effect for early and late distractors, but not for middle distractors.
- Participants showed a bias towards making 'same' responses, complicating the interpretation of performance results.
Takeaway
This study looked at how distractions can mess up our memory of touch, showing that when distractions come at the right time, they can change what we remember.
Methodology
Participants engaged in a delayed match-to-sample task with varying distractor timings to assess their impact on memory performance.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the self-selection of participants and the specific demographic of undergraduate students.
Limitations
The study's findings may not generalize beyond the specific conditions tested, and the lack of significant results for middle distractors raises questions about statistical power.
Participant Demographics
Thirty-three undergraduate students from Wilfrid Laurier University, all self-identified as right-handed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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