Abstract
Working memory capacity (WMC) varies tremendously among individuals. Here, we investigate the possibility that subjects with high WMC use this limited resource more efficiently by reducing the precision with which they store information in demanding tasks. Task difficulty was increased by (a) presenting more objects to be memorized, (b) informing subjects only after the encoding phase about the relevant objects, and (c) delivering distracting features at retrieval. Precision was assessed by means of a continuous delayed-estimation task, in which object features had to be estimated from memory. High WMC subjects did not show a stronger drop in precision in difficult tasks. Instead, a positive correlation between precision and general WMC emerged. These findings suggest that high WMC subjects do not necessarily trade in quantity for quality when forming working memory (WM) representations under increasing demand. Instead, they seem to be able to devote more cognitive resources to support WM storage.
Highlights
Working memory—the ability to maintain and manipulate information in memory for a short period of time—is a core cognitive function that is correlated with a number of cognitive skills such as reading comprehension [1], fluid intelligence [2], and reasoning ability [3]
Working memory capacity (WMC), that is, the number of items one can store in memory for a short time, varies considerably among humans, whereby some can only keep around two items in mind, whereas others can store more than four [4]
Whereas the first model would assume that subjects with a high capacity must have more resources or slots at their disposal, the latter model entails the possibility that these subject may increase their memory capacity by reducing the precision of the represented items in difficult situations; in other words, high WMC
Summary
Working memory—the ability to maintain and manipulate information in memory for a short period of time—is a core cognitive function that is correlated with a number of cognitive skills such as reading comprehension [1], fluid intelligence [2], and reasoning ability [3]. Working memory capacity (WMC), that is, the number of items one can store in memory for a short time, varies considerably among humans, whereby some can only keep around two items in mind (low WMC), whereas others can store more than four (high WMC) [4] It is currently unclear whether such high WMC subjects really have more memory resources (slots) available or whether they use their likewise limited resources more efficiently under increased memory load. Whereas the first model would assume that subjects with a high capacity must have more resources or slots at their disposal, the latter model entails the possibility that these subject may increase their memory capacity by reducing the precision of the represented items in difficult situations (e.g., high load); in other words, high WMC subjects may trade in quantity for quality in such situations.
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