Shining light on memory: Effects of bright light on working memory performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
pp. 234-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Huiberts ◽  
K.C.H.J. Smolders ◽  
Y.A.W. de Kort
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Chung Won Lee ◽  
Jin Ho Kim

This study was conducted to verify how the illuminance and correlated color temperature of LED lighting affect working memory. For this study, an automatic LED lighting device based on a light sensor was developed and used, and the lighting conditions were treated with a total of six conditions (2 × 3): two illuminance conditions (dim: 400 lx, bright: 1,000 lx) and three correlated color temperature conditions (3,000 K, 5,000 K, and 7,000 K). There were 30 participants in the study, and the average age was 21.6 years (Standard deviation = 1.92). Participants were assigned to all six lighting conditions, and the placement order was randomized. For the measurement of working memory, 3-back task was used and the correct responses for 5 minutes were used as a dependent variable. As a result of repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), both illuminance and correlated color temperature were found to be significant variables affecting working memory, and no interaction effect between illuminance and correlated color temperature was found. As a result of the post hoc verification conducted thereafter, the working memory performance in the bright light condition (1,000 lx) was 48.32 (Standard deviation = 15.63) on average, compared to 44.80 (Standard deviation = 15.29) in the relatively dim condition (400 lx). It was found that the condition of bright light was superior in performing working memory compared to relatively dim condition. The working memory performance in the correlated color temperature condition (5,000 K) was 48.32 (Standard deviation = 16.41) on average and higher than that of other color temperature conditions. As a result, working memory performance was the best in 1,000 lx, 5,000 K condition Mean = 53.43 (Standard deviation = 18.38), and 400 lx, 7,000 K condition Mean = 42.73 (Standard deviation = 17.68) showed the worst performance of working memory.


Author(s):  
Ian Neath ◽  
Jean Saint-Aubin ◽  
Tamra J. Bireta ◽  
Andrew J. Gabel ◽  
Chelsea G. Hudson ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn Jansen ◽  
Gabriella Dimotsantos ◽  
Marian E. Berryhill

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley DiPuma ◽  
Kelly Rivera ◽  
Edward Ester

Working memory (WM) performance can be improved by an informative cue presented during storage. This effect, termed a retro-cue benefit, can be used to explore mechanisms of attentional prioritization in WM. Directing attention to a single item stored in memory is known to increase memory precision while decreasing the likelihood of incorrect item reports and random guesses, but it is unclear whether similar benefits manifest when participants direct attention to multiple items stored in memory. We tested this possibility by quantifying memory performance when participants were cued to prioritize one or two items stored in working memory. Consistent with prior work, cueing participants to prioritize a single memory item yielded higher recall precision, fewer swap errors, and fewer guesses relative to a neutral cue condition. Conversely, cueing participants to prioritize two memory items yielded fewer swap errors relative to a neutral condition, but no differences in recall precision or guess rates. Although swap rates were less likely during the cue-two vs. neutral conditions, planned comparisons revealed that when participants made swap errors during cue-two trials they were far more likely to confuse two prioritized stimuli than they were to confuse a prioritized stimulus vs. a non-prioritized stimulus. Our results suggest that it is possible to prioritize multiple items stored in memory, with the caveat that doing so may increase the probability of confusing prioritized items.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Paul Zanesco ◽  
Ekaterina Denkova ◽  
Scott L. Rogers ◽  
William K. MacNulty ◽  
Amishi P. Jha

Cognitive ability is a key selection criterion for entry into many elite professions. Herein, we investigate whether mindfulness training (MT) can enhance cognitive performance in elite military forces. The cognitive effects of a short-form 8-hour MT program contextualized for military cohorts, referred to as Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT), were assessed. Servicemembers received either a 2-week (n = 40) or 4-week (n = 36) version of MBAT, or no training (NTC, n = 44). Sustained attention and working memory task performance along with self-reported cognitive failures were assessed at study onset (T1) and 8-weeks later (T2). In contrast to both the NTC and 2-week MT groups, the 4-week MT group significantly improved over time on attention and working memory outcome measures. Among the 4-week more so than the 2-week MBAT participants, working memory performance improvements were correlated with their amount of out-of-class MT practice. In addition to these group-wise effects, all participants receiving MBAT decreased in their self-reported cognitive failures from T1 to T2. Importantly, none of these improvements were related to self-reported task motivation. Together, these results suggest that short-form MT, when delivered over a 4-week delivery schedule, may be an effective cognitive training tool in elite military cohorts.


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