It is often proposed that individuals with high working memory (WM) overcome proactive interference (PI) from previous trials, saving WM for task-relevant items. We examined this hypothesis in word-list probe recognition. We found no difference in PI related to span. Instead, ex-Gaussian analysis of reaction time (RT) showed speed advantages for high spans specific to short lists (3–4 items) but absent from longer lists (6 or 8 items). We suggest that high-span advantages in RT are based on finesse during easy trials, not on overcoming PI.
展开▼
