Journal article
Working Memory Capacity as a Dynamic Process
Frontiers in psychology, Vol.3, pp.567-567
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/112780
PMCID: PMC3538562
PMID: 23335902
Abstract
A well-known characteristic of working memory (WM) is its limited capacity. The source of such limitations, however, is a continued point of debate. Developmental research is positioned to address this debate by jointly identifying the source(s) of limitations and the mechanism(s) underlying capacity increases. Here we provide a cross-domain survey of studies and theories of WM capacity development, which reveals a complex picture: dozens of studies from 50 papers show nearly universal increases in capacity estimates with age, but marked variation across studies, tasks, and domains. We argue that the full pattern of performance cannot be captured through traditional approaches emphasizing single causes, or even multiple separable causes, underlying capacity development. Rather, we consider WM capacity as a dynamic
process
that emerges from a unified cognitive system flexibly adapting to the context and demands of each task. We conclude by enumerating specific challenges for researchers and theorists that will need to be met in order to move our understanding forward.
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Details
- Title
- Working Memory Capacity as a Dynamic Process
- Creators
- Vanessa R Simmering - Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin – MadisonSammy Perone - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa and Delta Center
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in psychology, Vol.3, pp.567-567
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A
- Identifiers
- 99900547550101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article