Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity Modulate Electrophysiological Correlates of Semantic Negative Priming From Single Words

Abstract

In the present study, event-related potentials (ERPs) were registered during a semantic negative priming (NP) task in participants with higher and lower working memory capacity (WMC). On each trial participants had to actively ignore a briefly presented single prime word, which was followed either immediately or after a delay by a mask. Thereafter, either a semantically related or an unrelated target word was presented, to which participants made a semantic categorization judgment. The ignored prime produced a behavioral semantic NP in delayed (but not in immediate) masking trials, and only for participants with a higher-WMC. Both masking type and WMC also modulated ERP priming effects. When the ignored prime was immediately followed by a mask (which impeded its conscious identification) a reliable N400 modulation was found irrespective of participants’ WMC. However, when the mask onset following the prime was delayed (thus allowing its conscious identification), an attenuation of a late positive ERP (LPC) was observed in related compared to unrelated trials, but only in the higher-WMC group showing reliable behavioral NP. The present findings demonstrate for the first time that individual differences in WMC modulate both behavioral measures and electrophysiological correlates of semantic NP.

Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2023

“…The post-stimulus (400-800 ms) behavior differed in the error case in comparison with both correct cases. Relevant activation of frontal ROI can point to additional involvement of working memory in processing information regarding the outcomes of a particular decision and action (Megías et al, 2021). Therefore, investigation of working memory processes in relation to incorrect decisions should be considered as an option for further consideration.…”

“…Accounting for the significant association between time pressure and errors (Pooladvand & Hasanzadeh, 2022;von Bechtolsheim et al, 2022), temporal frame and time-related characteristics of stimuli form a set of independent variables for further studies. However, an extension of temporal intervals can involve memory processes as a challenge for parallel investigation (Megías et al, 2021;Voss & Paller, 2008), while their shortening of the interval can limit the investigation of error monitoring processes and consequences of errors (Wang et al, 2020). Therefore, exploring chains of errors and correct decisions form an additional topic for empirical studies.…”

“…Simultaneously, we have maintained a broader temporal focus of investigation, addressing differences between correct and incorrect responses in the interval after the decision was made. It should be noted that extending the time interval links observed activity to memory processes (Megías et al, 2021;Voss & Paller, 2008). This extension requires a better differentiation of conscious and more automatic processes (Kane et al, 2000).…”

Exploration of EEG Markers of Sensorimotor Functioning During Incorrect versus Correct Decisions

“…The post-stimulus (400-800 ms) behavior differed in the error case in comparison with both correct cases. Relevant activation of frontal ROI can point to additional involvement of working memory in processing information regarding the outcomes of a particular decision and action (Megías et al, 2021). Therefore, investigation of working memory processes in relation to incorrect decisions should be considered as an option for further consideration.…”

“…Simultaneously, we have maintained a broader temporal focus of investigation, addressing differences between correct and incorrect responses in the interval after the decision was made. It should be noted that extending the time interval links observed activity to memory processes (Megías et al, 2021;Voss & Paller, 2008). This extension requires a better differentiation of conscious and more automatic processes (Kane et al, 2000).…”