Exploring age differences in visual working memory capacity: is there a contribution of memory for configuration?

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Development
• Developmental Psychology
• Working Memory Research

Background:

• Working memory capacity appears to increase with age.
• Previous studies often use visual array retention tasks.
• Alternative explanations for developmental trends warrant investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore if improved configuration formation explains working memory development.
• To test if structuring probe displays impacts children's memory.
• To differentiate between capacity increases and representational strategy improvements.

Main Methods:

• Elementary school children and adults viewed arrays of colored spots.
• Participants recalled item locations after a brief delay.
• Probe displays were sometimes structured to aid configuration formation.

Main Results:

• Structured probe displays aided younger children's memory recall.
• This effect was significant when item locations were tested.
• The developmental trend in working memory was reduced, not eliminated.

Conclusions:

• Children improve in forming coherent spatial configurations.
• This strategic improvement supplements a genuine increase in working memory capacity.
• Both factors contribute to age-related working memory gains.