Effect Load and Capacity of Working Memory on Cognitive Control Process in Stroop Task

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of load and capacity of working memory on cognitive control processes in the Stroop Task. 90 students of Payame Noor university of Tabas did working memory task and according to their results put into two groups. Each of these two groups performed the Stroop Task on two situations; In the first phase low load condition (present simple mathematical equations between successive attempts of the Stroop Task has been translated into Persian without the need to resolve them) and in the second situation high load (simple math equations presented in the Stroop Task and the need decisions regarding the accuracy of the answers given by pressing a button). Results of MANOVA on the reaction time to the congruent stimuli, reaction time to incongruent stimuli did not show any difference between two groups with high and low working memory capacity at the first situation. However, the difference between the number of correct and incorrect responses between the two groups using chi-square test was significant. In the second experimental situation, the group with high working memory capacity were clearly better. It was also revealed that increasing the working memory load in the group with low working memory capacity led to increases interference and reduces the number of correct responses.