Response-Category Conflict and Control Mode Determine Memory Performance for Distractors in a Flanker Paradigm.

Cognitive conflicts can lead to better memory for task-relevant information. However, little is known about memory performance for task-irrelevant information. The present study investigated memory performance of task-irrelevant distractors using a Flanker paradigm.

Attentional attenuation (rather than attentional boost) through task switching leads to a selective long-term memory decline.

Allocating attention determines what we remember later. Attentional demands vary in a task-switching paradigm, with greater demands for switch than for repeat trials. This also results in lower subsequent memory performance for switch compared to repeat trials.

Response-category conflict improves target memory in a flanker paradigm.

Previous studies have shown that cognitive control demands and long-term memory interact in several ways. For example, trial-unique Stroop entities which consist of two perceptually distinct stimulus dimensions can enhance subsequent memory. In the present study, we investigated whether this effect generalises to a flanker paradigm.

Different impact of task switching and response-category conflict on subsequent memory.

The impact of cognitive control demands on long-term memory is mixed, with some conflicts leading to better, others leading to worse subsequent memory. The current study was designed to investigate how different types of cognitive control demands modulate the effects on memory. At study, participants had to switch between two classification tasks and later, free recall performance was assessed.

Task Switching Hurts Memory Encoding.

Research consistently shows that task switching slows down performance on switch compared to repeat trials, but the consequences on memory are less clear. In the present study, we investigated the impact of task switching on subsequent memory performance. Participants had to switch between two semantic classification tasks.