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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

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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

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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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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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Metacognition01:26

Metacognition

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Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...
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Understanding Memory01:19

Understanding Memory

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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...
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The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2025

Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics BM-PROMA
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Understanding working memory as a facilitator of math problem-solving: Offloading as a potential strategy.

Josh Medrano1, Dana Miller-Cotto1

  • 1University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.

The British Journal of Educational Psychology
|March 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Allowing students to offload information using external aids like paper and pencil significantly improved their math problem-solving skills, especially for those with lower working memory capacity. This highlights the benefit of external aids for cognitive processes.

Keywords:
cognitive processesmathematicsoffloadingprior knowledgeproblem‐solvingworking memory

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Educational Psychology

Background:

  • High working memory capacity is linked to better mathematical problem-solving.
  • A key theory suggests skilled problem solvers offload information from working memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if offloading information benefits problem-solving in individuals with lower working memory capacity.
  • To explore the role of external aids in supporting cognitive processes during problem-solving.

Main Methods:

  • 93 undergraduate students participated.
  • Participants completed a pre-test, working memory tasks, and a post-test.
  • One group could offload information using paper and pencil; the other could not.

Main Results:

  • Both groups improved, but the offloading group showed greater improvement.
  • Offloading was beneficial for specific working memory ranges and with increased prior knowledge.
  • No significant interaction was found between working memory and the offloading condition.

Conclusions:

  • Prior knowledge is crucial in working memory research related to problem-solving.
  • External aids can positively influence cognitive strategies during problem-solving tasks.