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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

411
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...
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Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

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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...
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Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory01:22

Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory

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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...
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Language and Cognition01:27

Language and Cognition

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Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
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Language Development01:22

Language Development

425
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
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Elaborative Rehearsals01:07

Elaborative Rehearsals

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Elaborative rehearsal is a crucial cognitive strategy that strengthens information encoding in long-term memory by making meaningful connections between new data and pre-existing knowledge. This approach contrasts with maintenance rehearsal, which involves simple repetition without delving into the significance of the information. While maintenance rehearsal might temporarily keep information active in short-term memory, it is less effective for long-term retention.
The effectiveness of...
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Related Experiment Video

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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
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Working memory training improves children's syntactic ability but not vice versa: A randomized control trial.

Ernesto Roque-Gutierrez1, Paul Ibbotson1

  • 1Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
|December 15, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Working memory (WM) training significantly improved children's syntax skills, especially in their native language. This suggests domain-general cognitive abilities play a crucial role in language acquisition.

Keywords:
Cognitive transferDomain generalLanguage developmentTrainingWorking memory

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Linguistics

Background:

  • The relationship between working memory (WM) and syntax acquisition is complex.
  • Understanding cognitive transfer between these domains is crucial for effective educational interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causal relationship between working memory and syntax in children.
  • To determine the directionality of cognitive transfer between WM and syntax.
  • To examine the impact of WM training on first and second language syntax.

Main Methods:

  • A pretest/posttest randomized control trial involving 104 native Cuban Spanish-speaking children (mean age 7 years 2 months).
  • Participants were assigned to syntax training (L1 or L2), WM training, or a control group.
  • Cognitive transfer and individual differences in performance were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Children in WM training showed significant cognitive transfer to syntax, particularly in their first language.
  • WM training was as effective as language training in improving syntactic performance.
  • Individual differences in WM performance predicted syntax improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Working memory plays a causal role in language acquisition.
  • Domain-general cognitive abilities are fundamental to developing syntactic skills.
  • WM training offers a promising avenue for enhancing language learning.