Self-Efficacy and Socioeconomic Status as Impact Factors for Working Memory and Language Learning: A Review Paper

Abstract

For elder adults all over the world, impairment of working memory (WM) a kind of cognitive deficit induced by aging and diseases, is adversely affecting their lives. It is also known that WM has an important impact on students academic success in English. Among children's studies, language learning has gradually received more attention with the process of globalization. Previous researches used several data collection methods, such as questionnaire, scale, task and test to measure variables. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression were adopted to analyze effects of self-efficacy and family socioeconomic status (SES) on WM and language learning statistically. Through the review and summary of these studies, it is generally concluded that self-efficacy of the elderly is positively correlated with their WM functioning; there is a positive correlation between self-efficacy and English learning outcomes of university students; family SES is positively related to WM updating capability and English proficiency in children and adolescents. The significance of this paper lies in some implications based on results of existing studies. WM span of the aged can be regulated through intervention. Educators more attention to students and purposive teaching strategies, and active parenting including more participation in kids education and creating a good home language learning environment for children will be helpful to improve WM ability and language learning experience and attainment of students.