Distracted by the self: Measuring and modeling distraction by self-referential processing in a complex working memory span task

Daamen, J.A. (2016) Distracted by the self: Measuring and modeling distraction by self-referential processing in a complex working memory span task. Master's Thesis / Essay, Human-Machine Communication.

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Abstract

This study attempted to measure and model distraction caused by self-referential processing (SRP) on a memory task. Two experiments using novel complex working memory span tasks were performed, both required the participants to remember a span of letters whilst being distracted by the processing of words. In the first experiment the recall score after SRP (i.e. “Does this word describe you?”) was compared to the score after a non-SRP task using the same words (i.e. “Does this word contain the letter ‘a’?”). For the second experiment the recall score after SRP was compared to a semantic non-SRP task using different words (i.e. “Does this object fit in a shoebox?”). In both experiments the amount of successful recall was significantly lower after SRP compared to the other processing task, indicating that SRP has a disruptive effect on the recall task. A cognitive model implemented in PRIMs, using goal competition to interfere with rehearsal of letters, could account for the observed experi-mental results. If SRP interferes with subsequent tasks in this manner it should also interfere with tasks other than recall, and the effect might be reduced by increasing nonattachment through, for ex-ample, mindfulness training. These provide interesting propositions for future research.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Human-Machine Communication
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 08:10
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 08:10
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/13652

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