Jennifer Trujillo¹, Bo Yeong Won²; ¹California State University, Chico

Visual working memory load (WML) influences distraction in visual search, yet it remains unclear how different types of WML—working memory capacity (WM capacity) and working memory precision (WM precision)—interact with different types of distraction, such as distraction from a similar distractor versus multiple dissimilar distractors. This study investigated two key questions: (1) whether memory load modulates distraction, and (2) whether WM capacity and WM precision loads interact differently with distraction. In Experiment 1A (WM capacity), participants completed a dual task involving memory and visual search. They memorized either a low-load (2 colors) or a high-load (4 colors) set of colors while searching for a target color among colored distractors (one similar color or three dissimilar colors). After the search, they judged whether a test color was part of the memorized set. In Experiment 1B (WM precision), a separate group performed a similar task but memorized a single color following a precision cue indicating low or high precision. After the search, they reported the memorized color on a color wheel. Results revealed that high WML reduced distraction regardless of the type of WML or distraction. However, WM capacity and WM precision interacted differently with distraction. Specifically, participants were less distracted by a similar color distractor compared to multiple dissimilar distractors during the WM precision task relative to the WM capacity task. These findings were replicated in Experiment 2, where participants completed a "T among Ls" search task instead of a color search, and WM capacity and WM precision trials were randomly intermixed within subjects. Overall, this study demonstrates that WML reduces distraction in visual search. Notably, remembering precise information in WM reduces distraction from similar distractors more effectively than from multiple dissimilar distractors, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying detailed information processing may govern both WM and attentional control.