engleski

Influence of parameters of the Sternberg memory task (the set size and probe item affiliation) on cognitive event-related potentials

The main field of interest of this study is cerebral dynamics that occur as a result of memorizing and retrieving information from working memory. A modified Stenberg memory task with auditory stimuli was performed. We recorded cognitive event-related potentials evoked by the memory task. Participants were healthy adults with no cognitive or auditory impairments. During the Sternberg experiment, sets of two or four digits were presented to subjects. Three seconds after the last item in the set, the target digit (probe) was presented. By pressing appropriate buttons participants had to indicate whether the probe did (positive probe) or didn’t (negative probe) belong to the presented set. According to results the reaction time increases with the increase of the memory set size. The activity in the period in which participants rehearse the previously presented set is stronger expressed for the set consisted of two digits. For the set of two digits the major positive wave (MPW) appears earlier and its amplitude is greater than for the set of four digits. The amplitude of the MPW is greater for the positive probe than for the negative probe, and the latency of the MPW evoked by the negative probe is greater than for the positive probe. Obtained results are in accordance with the presently accepted theory, and also offer interesting features for further research.

Sternberg memory task; auditory event-related potentials; reaction time; set size

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