Changes in Working Memory and Worry over Time

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Changes in Working Memory and Worry over Time Kelly Trezise1* and Robert Reeve1 1 University of Melbourne, School of Psychological Sciences, Australia Background Cortisol levels are correlated with stress/worry which, in turn, is thought to limit working memory (WM) capacity. fMRI data also show that anxiety/worry-problem solving relationships are mediated by frontal regions that coordinate task demands. Nevertheless, high WM capacity is also associated with the ability to regulate worry—a finding which cautions against accepting a simple causal model of relationships between physiological indices, worry and WM. To highlight the complexities of the WM and worry relationship, we report findings which illustrate the changing bi-directional influences between WM and worry. The research has two specific aims: to characterize (1) changes in WM-worry profiles over time, (2) how changes in these profiles predict problem solving ability. The general aim is to provide a dynamic change model that serves as a basis for investigating the relationship between WM, worry and associated physiological/neurological indices. Method We assessed 120 14-year-olds’ algebraic WM and Worry several times over the course of one day. We also assessed students’ algebraic problems solving ability at the end of the session. Algebraic working memory span was assessed using a modified operation span task. The judgment/worry task required students to judge the correctness of pairs of algebraic equations, and rate their level of worry about their judgments. Results We used a latent transition analysis to examine WM-worry subgroups and changes in them over time. A 5 subgroup model with partial measurement invariance fitted the data best. High model stability was observed, but there was a .20 probability that high WM/low worry individuals would move to a low WM/low worry group over time. Low WM/ high worry group members moved to a group emerging at the second assessment point, characterized by very low WM and high worry. As expected, algebraic problem solving abilities differed across groups. Discussion The findings suggest a bi-directional influence between WM and worry, which would likely be reflected in behavioural, neurological, and physiological indices. Moreover, the findings suggest caution in proposing simple causal models as explanations for the relationship between neurobiology, cognition and emotion. Keywords: working memory, Stress, Psychological, Cognition, cognition-emotion, latent variable modeling Conference: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Executive Processes Citation: Trezise K and Reeve R (2013). Changes in Working Memory and Worry over Time. Conference Abstract: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00022 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 15 Oct 2013; Published Online: 25 Nov 2013. * Correspondence: Ms. Kelly Trezise, University of Melbourne, School of Psychological Sciences, Melbourne, Australia, trezisek@unimelb.edu.au Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Kelly Trezise Robert Reeve Google Kelly Trezise Robert Reeve Google Scholar Kelly Trezise Robert Reeve PubMed Kelly Trezise Robert Reeve Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.