Executive functions (EFs) are top-down cognitive control processes that enable goal-directed behavior, planning, and problem solving (Diamond, 2013;Friedman & Miyake, 2017;Jurado & Rosselli, 2007). The term EFs has been applied to various cognitive functions and typically includes inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Studies in children and adults indicate these components of EFs are partially distinct but correlated (

The ephemeral nature of spoken words creates a challenge for oral communications where incoming speech sounds must be processed in relation to representations of just-perceived sounds stored in short-term memory. This can be particularly taxing in noisy environments where perception of speech is often impaired or initially incorrect. Usage of prior contextual information (e.g., a semantically related word) has been shown to improve speech in noise identification. In three experiments, we demonstrate a comparable effect of a semantically related cue word placed after an energetically masked target word in improving accuracy of target-word identification. This effect persisted irrespective of cue modality (visual or auditory cue word) and, in the case of cues after the target, lasted even when the cue word was presented up to 4 seconds after the target. The results are framed in the context of an attention to memory model that seeks to explain the cognitive and neural mechanisms behind processing of items in auditory memory.

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