Working memory span: the effect of prior learning.

Full Abstract

Recent work suggests that working memory span (WMS) tasks are not simple measures of the capacity to simultaneously store and process new information. Instead, these measures may be influenced by numerous factors, including proactive interference (PI). The current study examined whether WMS, like other memory tasks, is also influenced by PI from prior memory experiments. Experimentally experienced and naive participants completed a speaking span task. Span scores were lower for experienced than for naive participants, but other cognitive scores were not. In combination with other work, these results suggest that WMS estimates are not pure measures of capacity and may be partially determined by PI.

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Author information

Author/s: Lustig, Cindy (C); Hasher, Lynn (L);

Affiliation: Duke University, USA. clustig@artsci.wustl.edu

Grants: AG 2753 (Agency:United States NIA) ; AG 4306 (Agency:United States NIA) ; R37 AG004306-16 (Agency:United States NIA)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The American journal of psychology (Am J Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 115 (issue 1) : pp 89-101

Dates: Created 2002/02/28; Completed 2002/08/20; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 11868196, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Humans
Learning

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