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Related Concept Videos

Self-Regulation01:25

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
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Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality01:30

Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality

Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
Decision Making01:20

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Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
07:01

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

Published on: September 20, 2020

Working memory capacity and self-regulatory behavior: toward an individual differences perspective on behavior

Wilhelm Hofmann1, Tobias Gschwendner, Malte Friese

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. hofmannw@psychologie.uni-wuerzburg.de

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|September 24, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Working memory capacity influences self-regulation. Lower capacity means automatic impulses dominate, while higher capacity allows controlled processes to guide behavior effectively.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

  • Dual-process theories propose behavior is influenced by automatic and controlled systems.
  • Individual differences, such as working memory capacity, may modulate the interplay between these systems.
  • Understanding these moderators is crucial for explaining variations in self-regulatory success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how working memory capacity moderates the influence of automatic versus controlled precursors on self-regulatory behavior.
  • To examine this relationship across different domains, including sexual interest, food consumption, and anger expression.
  • To provide an individual differences perspective on dual-process theories.

Main Methods:

  • Three studies were conducted involving assessments of working memory capacity.
  • Participants' automatic attitudes and controlled dispositions (explicit attitudes, self-regulatory goals) were measured.
  • Behavioral outcomes related to sexual interest, food consumption, and anger expression were recorded.

Main Results:

  • Automatic attitudes more strongly predicted behavior in individuals with low working memory capacity.
  • Controlled dispositions more effectively guided behavior in individuals with high working memory capacity.
  • These findings were consistent across studies on sexual interest, food consumption, and anger expression.

Conclusions:

  • Working memory capacity plays a critical role in everyday self-regulation.
  • Individual differences in working memory capacity significantly influence the balance between automatic and controlled behavioral drivers.
  • The findings support and extend dual-process or dual-system theories by highlighting the importance of individual differences.