Working Memory System

A Working Memory System is a cognitive sub-system that temporarily holds and manipulates information.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) interact with Long-Term Memory by retrieving stored knowledge for active use.
  • It can (typically) serve as a bridge between Short-Term Memory and more complex mental processes, enabling fluid reasoning.
  • It can (often) be associated with the Prefrontal Cortex.
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  • It can be measured with a Working Memory Measure such as digit span tasks, and N-back tasks.
  • It can work in tandem with the Attentional Control System, allowing for the filtering of irrelormation occurs.
  • It can be divided into components such as the Phonological Loop, Visuospatial Sketchpad, and Central Executive, each managing
  • It can decline with age, affecting an individual's ability to multitask or retain information temporarily.evant information.
  • It can be influenced by individual differences, with some people having a larger working memory capacity than others, which can affect learning and cognitive performance.
  • It can play a crucial role in learning and academic performance, as it allows students to process and integrate new information.
  • It can be enhanced through training, such as working memory exercises that aim to improve cognitive flexibility and memory capacity.
  • It can be affected by stress and anxiety, which can reduce its effectiveness in handling cognitive tasks.
  • It can be impaired in neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, where both working and long-term memory systems are compromised.
  • It can involve the Central Executive for high-level functions, directing attention and coordinating tasks within the working memory system.
  • It can vary in capacity, with an average adult able to hold around 7 items at once, but this capacity can fluctuate based on cognitive load.
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• See: Neuroscience, Memory, Short-Term Memory, Cognitive Psychology.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memory Retrieved:2024-9-15.
  • Working memory is a cognitive system with a limited capacity that can hold information temporarily. It is important for reasoning and the guidance of decision-making and behavior. Working memory is often used synonymously with short-term memory, but some theorists consider the two forms of memory distinct, assuming that working memory allows for the manipulation of stored information, whereas short-term memory only refers to the short-term storage of information. Working memory is a theoretical concept central to cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and neuroscience.

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