Effects of Reward and Probe Probability on Distractor Filtering in Visual Working Memory: Evidence from Pre-Cues and Retro-Cues

This study designed two experiments to examine the impact of reward and probe probability on visual working memory (VWM) representation and distractor filtering. Experiment 1 employed a pre-cued paradigm, while Experiment 2 utilized a retro-cued paradigm. The results of both experiments demonstrated that rewards enhanced VWM performance, but this effect was most pronounced under high probe probability and when distractors were present. Additionally, distractor interference was observed primarily at higher probe probabilities, rather than at low probe probabilities. These findings suggest that both reward and probe probability are critical for cognitive resource allocation, with rewards enhancing memory performance and resistance to distractors, particularly under conditions of high cognitive load. This research sheds light on the interplay between reward and attention mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of efficient cognitive resource management in optimizing VWM performance under varying attentional demands.