Working memory

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The working memory is functionally considered a part of the human memory ability . It enables us to temporarily store information and manipulate it at the same time.

Working memory is required, for example, to understand the content of a sentence - so that at the end of a sentence you can still remember the beginning. It is therefore a prerequisite for being able to read meaningfully. Basic skills such as reading , writing and arithmetic build on this. However, the capacity is limited to about seven information units (see Miller's number ).

Working memory is also crucial in connection with solving more complex tasks. We use working memory to understand the environment around us at present by creating a mental representation of it . This mental representation then supports us in problem solving, logical reasoning , in acquiring new knowledge and in formulating and weighing current goals.

The working memory is also essential for planning actions and is therefore counted among the executive functions .

Differentiation from short-term memory

The term short- term memory refers to older and other theories that assumed a uniform system for the short-term storage of information. This view has been further developed by the Erlangen School of Information Psychology with its concept of short storage capacity . In contrast to this, a multi-memory model is assumed in the following, in which different subsystems are responsible for different types of information.

Neuropsychologists also differentiate between these two types of memory because they occupy different areas of the prefrontal cortex . Working memory makes it possible to manipulate the stored information and work with you at the same time. The short-term memory, on the other hand, is only a short-term memory that does not allow the organization and processing of the stored content.

Psychological models

Component model

→ Main article Baddeley's working memory model

Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch proposed their working memory model in 1974, with which they wanted to describe short-term memory more precisely. The model is based on four (previously three) separate functional components that are mutually related. A distinction is made between the central executive , which serves as a control and organizational element, and three passive subsystems (so-called "slave systems"), which are controlled and monitored by the central executive. The subsystems are the phonological loop (primarily processes verbal information), the spatial visual notepad (processes visual information) and the episodic buffer .

Process-oriented theories

Baddeley's module-oriented theory, which is still based on the separation of long-term and short-term memory, contrasts with newer, process-oriented theories. These are based on the distribution of attention resources and the associated activation of distributed neural networks.

The Embedded Processing Model of Working Memory of Nelson Cowan describes the working memory than those portions of the long-term memory, which are temporarily in an activated state. Memory contents are stimulated by cues; if attention is now paid to them, they can be processed consciously.

The working memory model by Randall W. Engle explains the causes of individual differences in the capacity of working memory and their relationship to intelligence.

Facet theory

Facet model of working memory by Klaus Oberauer and colleagues

Klaus Oberauer , Heinz-Martin Süß , Oliver Wilhelm and Werner W. Wittmann proposed a facet-based model of working memory, which could be verified empirically. Two dimensions are taken into account in the model: cognitive processes and task content. The cognitive processes include supervision (executive control), coordination as well as simultaneous storage and processing. With regard to the content of the tasks, a distinction is made between verbal, spatial-figural and numerical tasks. Crossing the two dimensions results in a facet structure through which working memory performance can be described very specifically (e.g. verbal storage and processing). The model is reminiscent of the Berlin intelligence structure model and is accordingly to be understood as a descriptive model .

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A. Diamond: Executive functions . In: Annu Rev Psychol . tape 64 , 2013, p. 135–168 , doi : 10.1146 / annurev-psych-113011-143750 , PMID 23020641 , PMC 4084861 (free full text): "WM (holding information in mind and manipulating it) is distinct from short-term memory (just holding information in min ). They cluster onto separate factors in factor analyzes of children, adolescents, and adults (Alloway et al. 2004, Gathercole et al. 2004). They are linked to different neural subsystems. WM relies more on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, whereas maintaining information in mind but not manipulating it [as long as the number of items is not huge (suprathreshold)] does not need involvement of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (D'Esposito et al. 1999, Eldreth et al. 2006, Smith & Jonides 1999). Imaging studies show frontal activation only in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex for memory maintenance that is not suprathreshold. WM and short-term memory also show different developmental progressions; the latter develops earlier and faster. "
  2. ↑ K. Oberauer, H.-M. Suss, O. Wilhelm, WW Wittmann: The multiple faces of working memory: Storage, processing, supervision, and coordination. In: Intelligence. Volume 31, No. 2, 2003, pp. 167-193, doi: 10.1016 / S0160-2896 (02) 00115-0 .
  3. ↑ H.-M. Suss, K. Oberauer, WW Wittmann, O. Wilhelm, R. Schulze: Working-memory capacity explains reasoning ability — and a little bit more. In: Intelligence. Volume 30, No. 3, 2002, pp. 261-288. doi: 10.1016 / S0160-2896 (01) 00100-3