Skills Requiring High Working Memory Capacity
Skills requiring high working memory capacity include complex mathematical problem solving, reading comprehension, sentence processing, visuospatial processing tasks, and attention-demanding tasks with multiple operations. 1
Mathematical Skills
- Complex mathematical problem solving that requires:
- Magnitude processing
- Multi-step calculations
- Holding intermediate results while performing additional operations
- Mental arithmetic without external aids
Language and Reading Skills
- Reading comprehension that involves:
- Holding previously read content while processing new information
- Making connections between different parts of text
- Drawing inferences while reading
- Silent and oral reading fluency 1
- Sentence processing tasks:
- Sentence imitation requiring multiple mental operations
- Complex syntax comprehension
- Language production with multiple clauses
Attention-Demanding Tasks
- Tasks requiring sustained attention with continuous response monitoring
- Multitasking activities that involve:
- Switching between different cognitive operations
- Maintaining multiple goals simultaneously 2
- Problem-solving that requires:
- Hypothesis testing
- Maintaining problem representations while exploring solutions 3
Visuospatial Processing
- Block design tasks
- Line orientation tests
- Mental rotation
- Spatial navigation and memory tasks 1
Learning and Categorization
- Concept formation and categorization tasks
- Learning novel categories with complex rules 4
- Acquiring new vocabulary in native and second languages 5
Working Memory Components
Working memory involves multiple components that support these complex skills:
- Central executive: An attentional-controlling system crucial for complex cognitive tasks
- Visuospatial sketchpad: Manipulates visual images
- Phonological loop: Stores and rehearses speech-based information 5
Clinical Implications
It's worth noting that certain clinical populations show specific deficits in working memory tasks:
- Patients with Hepatic Encephalopathy show impairments in attention and visuospatial abilities
- Multiple Sclerosis patients can achieve normal working memory performance but require significantly more processing time as working memory load increases 1
Working Memory Training
Despite the importance of working memory for these skills, evidence suggests that working memory training has limitations:
- While training can improve performance on similar working memory tasks (near transfer), there is limited evidence for improvement in other cognitive domains (far transfer) 1
- Working memory training programs appear to produce short-term, specific training effects that do not generalize to measures of "real-world" cognitive skills 6
Working memory capacity and fluid intelligence are strongly correlated traits, with high working memory capacity facilitating reasoning through accurate maintenance of relevant information while problem solving 3.