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Time constraints and resource sharing in adults' working memory spans.
Pierre Barrouillet1, Sophie Bernardin, Valerie Camos
1Laboratoire d'Etude de I'Apprentissage et du Developpement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5022, Universite de Bourgogne, Pôle AAFE, Esplanade Erasme, BP 26513, 21065 Dijon, France. barouil@u-bourgogne.fr
Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|February 26, 2004
Summary
Working memory spans are influenced by cognitive load, according to the new time-based resource-sharing model. This model explains how attention demands during tasks affect memory performance in adults.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Memory
Background:
- Working memory is crucial for complex cognitive tasks.
- Existing models do not fully explain the dynamic nature of working memory capacity.
- Attention plays a key role in maintaining information in working memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the time-based resource-sharing model of working memory.
- To investigate how cognitive load affects working memory spans.
- To explore the relationship between attention, processing, and memory maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Development of the time-based resource-sharing model.
- Conducting seven experiments to test model predictions.
- Manipulating the number of memory retrievals and time allowed for processing.
Main Results:
- Working memory spans were found to vary significantly with cognitive load.
- The number of retrievals and time available for processing predicted changes in memory span.
- Evidence supports the model's assumption of attention-dependent memory trace decay.
Conclusions:
- The time-based resource-sharing model provides a robust framework for understanding working memory capacity.
- Cognitive load, determined by the retrieval:time ratio, is a critical factor influencing working memory performance.
- The findings highlight the dynamic interplay between attention and memory maintenance.