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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

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.
Understanding Memory01:19

Understanding Memory

Memory is the retention of information or experiences over time, facilitated through three main processes: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is the process of inputting information into the memory system. For instance, when listening to a lecture, watching a play, reading a book, or having a conversation, the brain is actively encoding information. This initial stage involves transforming sensory input into a form that can be processed and stored by the brain. Various factors, such as...
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...
Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory01:22

Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory

Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of information more...
Interference and Decay01:16

Interference and Decay

Forgetting is a complex cognitive phenomenon influenced by several factors, among which interference and decay are particularly prominent. These processes explain why individuals often struggle to retrieve specific information from memory, leading to lapses in recall that can be observed in everyday situations.
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
Storage01:23

Storage

A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze each...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
10:38

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Working memory management and predicted utility.

Christopher H Chatham1, David Badre

  • 1Cognitive, Linguistic & Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence RI, USA.

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|July 25, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human working memory (WM) dynamically tracks information utility. When utility declines, costs arise, indicating the brain reallocates WM resources, particularly in frontostriatal areas, to optimize cognitive function.

Keywords:
Q-learningfilteringgatingpredicted utilityworking memory

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
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Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
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07:01

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

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroeconomics

Background:

  • Working memory (WM) has limited capacity, necessitating strategic resource allocation.
  • Information utility influences WM access, but declining utility may require resource reallocation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how humans track and respond to changes in the utility of information held in WM.
  • To identify the neural mechanisms underlying the dynamic updating of information utility within WM.

Main Methods:

  • Behavioral experiments measuring costs associated with declining information utility in WM.
  • Computational modeling using an adapted Q-learning approach to quantify utility tracking.
  • Model-based functional neuroimaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity during WM tasks.

Main Results:

  • Participants exhibited behavioral costs when the utility of WM-maintained items decreased, indicating a need for reallocation.
  • Costs scaled with the historical utility of items, as predicted by the Q-learning model.
  • Neuroimaging revealed that the frontal cortex tracks item utility for maintenance, while the ventral striatum signals decreases in utility.

Conclusions:

  • Frontostriatal mechanisms are crucial for tracking and updating information utility in WM.
  • These dynamics may explain observed delays in removing outdated information from WM.
  • Findings advance understanding of adaptive cognitive control and resource management in memory.