Effects of working memory contents and perceptual load on distractor processing: When a response-related distractor is held in working memory

- A distractor that was maintained in WM resulted in an interference effect for high perceptual load.
- A distractor that was maintained in WM did not produce any interference effect for low perceptual load.
- Effects of working memory contents in visual search depend on perceptual load.

Working memory and attention are closely related. Recent research has shown that working memory can be viewed as internally directed attention. Working memory can affect attention in at least two ways. One is the effect of working memory load on attention, and the other is the effect of working memory contents on attention. In the present study, an interaction between working memory contents and perceptual load in distractor processing was investigated. Participants performed a perceptual load task in a standard form in one condition (Single task). In the other condition, a response-related distractor was maintained in working memory, rather than presented in the same stimulus display as a target (Dual task). For the Dual task condition, a significant compatibility effect was found under high perceptual load; however, there was no compatibility effect under low perceptual load. These results suggest that the way the contents of working memory affect visual search depends on perceptual load.