Table 1
Performance Metrics across Experiments and Inclusion Criteria.
| Participant Inclusion Criteria | .8 secondary task accuracy or better | .8 secondary task accuracy or better | Must have a high accuracy* trial in all conditions | All participants that completed the study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Inclusion Criteria | High accuracy* trials only | All trials | High accuracy* trials only | All trials |
| Experiment 1a (continuous memoranda + tone task) | ||||
| Participant N | 38 | 38 | 43 | 44 |
| Effect Size (d) | 0.11 | 0.42 | 0.07 | 0.46 |
| Bayes Factor (H10) | 0.33 | 0.80 | 0.12 | 3.94 |
| Experiment 1b (continuous memoranda + parity task) | ||||
| Participant N | 30 | 30 | 48 | 52 |
| Effect Size (d) | 0.13 | 0.50 | 0.12 | 0.43 |
| Bayes Factor (H10) | 0.12 | 1.05 | 0.08 | 3.89 |
| Experiment 2a (canonical memoranda + tone task) | ||||
| Participant N | 14 | 14 | 22 | 30 |
| Effect Size (d) | –0.34 | 0.19 | 0.01 | 0.28 |
| Bayes Factor (H10) | 0.31 | 0.14 | 0.07 | 0.19 |
| Experiment 2b (canonical memoranda + parity task) | ||||
| Participant N | 24 | 24 | 37 | 53 |
| Effect Size (d) | 0.24 | 0.48 | 0.24 | 0.47 |
| Bayes Factor (H10) | 0.24 | 0.70 | 0.29 | 14.82 |
[i] Note: Effect sizes and Bayes factors pertain to the effect of Cognitive Load.
* A high accuracy trial is one with perfect performance on the secondary task.
Figure 1
An example of a single experimental trial in Experiment 1.
Figure 2
Mean response error in degrees of angle by cognitive load condition (number of digits/6s retention interval) observed in Experiment 1a (continuous memoranda + tone task; panel a) and Experiment 1b (continuous memoranda + parity task; panel b) Error bars represent standard error of the mean. The blue line shows the linear regression of mean response error on cognitive load. Note that the y-axis is compressed in panel a. relative to panel b. due to Experiment 1a having one half the total stimulus range compared to Experiment 1b.
Figure 3
An example of a response probe in Experiment 2b. The black dots show the eight possible dot locations for canonical memory items. Each memory item only contained a single dot.
Figure 4
Mean response error in degrees of angle by cognitive load condition (number of digits/6s retention interval) observed in Experiment 2a (canonical memoranda + tone task; panel a) and experiment 2b (canonical memoranda + parity task; panel b) Error bars represent standard error of the mean. The blue lines show the linear regression of mean response error on cognitive load.