Working memory (WM) span tasks—and in particular, counting span, operation span, and reading span tasks—are widely used measures of WM capacity. Despite their popularity, however, there has never been a comprehensive analysis of the merits of WM span tasks as measurement tools. Here, we review the genesis of these tasks and discuss how and why they came to be so influential. In so doing, we address the reliability and validity of the tasks, and we consider more technical aspects of the tasks, such as optimal administration and scoring procedures. Finally, we discuss statistical and methodological techniques that have commonly been used in conjunction with WM span tasks, such as latent variable analysis and extreme-groups designs.

/pdf/working-memory-span-tasks-a-methodological-review-and-user-s-3jxqvl9j5s.pdf

Working memory span tasks: A methodological review and user’s guide

(1998). Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor analytic studies. Gifted and Talented International: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 97-98.

Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor analytic studies

We provide an “executive-attention” framework for organizing the cognitive neuroscience research on the constructs of working-memory capacity (WMC), general fluid intelligence, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. Rather than provide a novel theory of PFC function, we synthesize a wealth of singlecell, brain-imaging, and neuropsychological research through the lens of our theory of normal individual differences in WMC and attention control (Engle, Kane, & Tuholski, 1999; Engle, Tuholski, Laughlin, & Conway, 1999). Our critical review confirms the prevalent view that dorsolateral PFC circuitry is critical to executive-attention functions. Moreover, although the dorsolateral PFC is but one critical structure in a network of anterior and posterior “attention control” areas, it does have a unique executiveattention role in actively maintaining access to stimulus representations and goals in interference-rich contexts. Our review suggests the utility of an executive-attention framework for guiding future research on both PFC function and cognitive control.

/pdf/the-role-of-prefrontal-cortex-in-working-memory-capacity-jwrotkwivk.pdf

The role of prefrontal cortex in working-memory capacity, executive attention, and general fluid intelligence: An individual-differences perspective

Individual differences in working-memory (WM) capacity predicted performance on the Stroop task in 5 experiments, indicating the importance of executive control and goal maintenance to selective attention. When the Stroop task encouraged goal neglect by including large numbers of congruent trials (RED presented in red), low WM individuals committed more errors than did high WM individuals on the rare incongruent trials (BLUE in red) that required maintaining access to the ?ignore-the-word? goal for accurate responding. In contrast, in tasks with no or few congruent trials, or in high-congruency tasks that followed low-congruency tasks, WM predicted response-time interference. WM was related to latency, not accuracy, in contexts that reinforced the task goal and so minimized the difficulty of actively maintaining it. The data and a literature review suggest that Stroop interference is jointly determined by 2 mechanisms, goal maintenance and competition resolution, and that the dominance of each depends on WM capacity, as well as the task set induced by current and previous contexts.

/pdf/working-memory-capacity-and-the-control-of-attention-the-4dow5tlm87.pdf

Working-memory capacity and the control of attention: the contributions of goal neglect, response competition, and task set to Stroop interference.

A latent-variable study examined whether verbal and visuospatial working memory (WM) capacity measures reflect a primarily domain-general construct by testing 236 participants in 3 span tests each of verbal WM, visuospatial WM, verbal short-term memory (STM), and visuospatial STM, as well as in tests of verbal and spatial reasoning and general fluid intelligence (Gf). Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation models indicated that the WM tasks largely reflected a domain-general factor, whereas STM tasks, based on the same stimuli as the WM tasks, were much more domain specific. The WM construct was a strong predictor of Gf and a weaker predictor of domain-specific reasoning, and the reverse was true for the STM construct. The findings support a domain-general view of WM capacity, in which executive-attention processes drive the broad predictive utility of WM span measures, and domain-specific storage and rehearsal processes relate more strongly to domain-specific aspects of complex cognition.

https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/M_Kane_Generality_2004.pdf

The Generality of Working Memory Capacity: A Latent-Variable Approach to Verbal and Visuospatial Memory Span and Reasoning

http://jtoomim.org/brain-training/working%20memory%20capacity%20explains%20reasoning%20ability%20-%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more.pdf

Working-memory capacity explains reasoning ability - and a little bit more

Working memory capacity - facets of a cognitive ability construct

Although once given scant treatment, the importance attached to “mental speed” in providing improved understanding and measurement of intelligence is growing. The veracity of this statement is evidenced by a number of observations. For instance, several broad factors representing mental speed abilities are currently incorporated within two important, structural models of cognitive abilities: Gf-Gc (see, e.g., Horn & Noll, 1994) and three-stratum (e.g., Carroll, 1993) theory. With respect to the latter of these conceptualizations, Carroll (1993) notes, “If any broad taxonomic classification of cognitive ability factors were to be formulated, in fact, it might be one based on the distinction between level [accuracy-based performance] and speed” (p. 644). Another reflection of the growing import of mental speed is the fact that almost all prominent multiple-aptitude batteries (e.g., the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery [ASVAB], U.S. Department of Defense [DoD], 1984) and intelligence test batteries (e.g., Berlin Intelligence Structure test [BIS], Jager, Sus, & Beauducel, 1997 [see also Chapter 18, this volume]; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III, Wechsler, 1997; Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability III, Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001) include the assessment of mental speed as an important operational and conceptual undertaking. In a

On Frameworks, Paradigms, and a Platform for the Future

Abstract. Since classical intelligence factors are almost independent of personality, independence from personality is expected analogously for new intelligence factors, such as Emotional Intelligence (EI). However, performance tests of Strategic EI, in particular, consistently show a positive relationship with self-reports of Agreeableness which has not yet been the subject of more detailed investigations. This paper aims to elucidate this relationship with a focus on facet-level relationships. In a study with N = 176 participants, the correlations between two strategic EI measures on the one hand, and measures of the Big Five personality factors as well as the facets of Agreeableness, on the other hand, are estimated at the level of latent variables. The results suggest that the relationships vary markedly by the facet of Agreeableness. Strategic EI measures are specifically correlated with measures of Agreeableness facets that include agreeable behavior for which emotional abilities are required. Furthermore, the results indicate that the strength of relationships between EI measures with personality traits depends on the scoring procedures (consensus vs. theory-based scoring) used for tests of EI.

Differential Relations Between Facets of Agreeableness and Ability-Based Measures of Strategic Emotional Intelligence

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Working-memory capacity explains reasoning ability - and a little bit more

Working memory capacity - facets of a cognitive ability construct

On Frameworks, Paradigms, and a Platform for the Future

Differential Relations Between Facets of Agreeableness and Ability-Based Measures of Strategic Emotional Intelligence