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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

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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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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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Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
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Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Assessing Working Memory in Children: The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children – Working Memory (CABC-WM)
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Forget For Now, but Remember Later: Can People Selectively Remove Information From Working Memory While Keeping it in

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People cannot selectively remove items from working memory while preserving them for long-term memory. Attempts to do so result in compromised working memory removal and impaired long-term memory recall.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Memory Research

Background:

  • Working memory allows temporary information manipulation.
  • Episodic long-term memory stores personal experiences.
  • The relationship between working memory control and long-term memory is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of removing items from working memory on episodic long-term memory.
  • To determine if information can be selectively retained or forgotten for different memory systems.

Main Methods:

  • Participants encoded word lists into working memory.
  • Cues instructed participants to either remember or forget specific words.
  • Long-term memory tests assessed recall for cued words.
  • Experiments manipulated selective memory updating for working memory versus long-term memory.

Main Results:

  • Words intended for working memory maintenance were recalled better in long-term memory than those cued for removal.
  • Participants could not selectively update information for one memory system while excluding it from another.
  • Selective memory updating attempts led to less effective working memory clearing and no long-term memory benefit.

Conclusions:

  • It is not possible to simultaneously remove information from working memory and retain it in long-term memory.
  • Conversely, information cannot be maintained in working memory while selectively forgetting it for long-term memory.
  • Memory updating processes are not fully dissociable between working memory and long-term memory systems.