From task-general towards task-specific cognitive operations in a few minutes? Working memory performance as an...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Cognitive function measurement often assumes stable mental architecture during tasks.
• Skill learning theory posits adaptive cognitive performance, moving from effortful, general processes to automatic, specific ones.
• This skill learning dynamic is under-explored in short-duration cognitive tasks like working memory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if working memory task performance initially relies on a general factor and then diverges to task-specific factors.
• To investigate the rapid, internal dynamics of cognitive skill acquisition within working memory tasks.
• To apply the cognitive skill learning framework to the short time spans of working memory tasks.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal structural equation modeling was used on two independent datasets (N=296 and N=201).
• The models tested the hypothesis of initial unity and subsequent divergence of task-specific latent factors in working memory performance.
• Statistical analysis focused on the progression of cognitive processes during task engagement.

Main Results:

• The first experiment's data supported the hypothesis, showing initial unity of working memory paradigm-specific latent factors that later diverged.
• The second experiment replicated this pattern, with one exception for a specific latent factor.
• Results indicate a rapid shift from general to task-specific processing in working memory tasks.

Conclusions:

• Working memory task performance appears to rapidly evolve from general cognitive engagement to task-specific processes.
• Findings align with the cognitive skill learning framework, suggesting adaptive changes within tasks.
• The study highlights the importance of considering task-internal dynamics for accurate cognitive function measurement.