Working memory is defined as a part of the brain’s workspace where information is processed. The ability to perform tasks is dependent on the information processed by the brain. The brain’s ability to work is dynamic but limited. A working memory test can help understand the brain’s encoding capacity.
What is Working Memory? (And Why it is Not the Same as Short-Term Memory)
Working memory is defined as a person’s ability to hold information for a short period. The ability to hold information without processing is considered short-term memory.
For instance, remembering a phone number for a short period involves short-term memory. Similarly, performing a mental calculation involves working memory. When students ask “what is working memory?”, a simple answer is: it is a system that enables you to think while remembering.
The Neuroscience: How Working Memory Works in the Brain
Working memory is supported by a brain region called the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for integrating attention and decision-making. The neuroimaging literature has consistently found activation in this brain region when performing complex cognitive tasks (D’Esposito, 2007).
The most important theory of working memory is still the one developed by Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch in 1974. The theory explains working memory as a system with different components. The components include a central executive, a phonological loop, and a visuospatial sketchpad. Think of it as a control room in your brain, always keeping information up to date. Thus, your working memory capacity has a significant effect on how easily you can comply with instructions, perform tasks, and learn.
How to Test Your Working Memory
You can test your working memory capacity by taking a working memory test that challenges you to perform at your limit. A test of working memory capacity usually tests the number of units of information that you can work with at any single time.
Working memory tests include tests of recalling numbers, tracking patterns, and performing dual tasks, and it does not test intelligence, although they are a reliable test of brain efficiency and should be taken periodically.
The Digit Span / Number Memory Test
The digit span test is the most popular method used by psychologists. You are shown a list of numbers and have to recall them in order or reverse order.
To administer it to yourself, you can attempt a free number memory test, similar to a chimp research study. This is similar to a study by Tetsuro Matsuzawa on the exceptional memory skills of primates.
- Forward span tests storage
- Backward span tests manipulation
- Scores indicate real-time processing ability
- It is a basic cognitive span test used by researchers and educators alike.
The N-Back Test
The N-back test is a method used to assess your ability to process information. You have to recognize a stimulus if it is similar to one you were shown “n” items back.
This is a test of both attention and memory. The N-back test is a popular cognitive neuroscience test used to measure changes in working memory.
Can You Improve Working Memory? What Research Says
There is an ongoing debate about whether or not it is possible to improve working memory. Some studies report that working memory can be improved to a moderate extent, particularly in specific task-related circumstances.
It is evident, though, that the extent to which working memory can be improved is directly related to the variety of the training tasks. It is also evident that factors such as lifestyle, including sleep, stress, and physical activity, contribute to cognitive ability to a certain extent.
FAQ
What is a normal working memory score?
On average, the number of items a person can hold in their working memory is around 4-7. Higher scorers might have a working memory of more than 9.
Is working memory fixed, or can it be improved?
It is slightly changeable. It is possible to improve working memory with training and a healthy lifestyle.
What is the difference between a number memory test and an IQ test?
A number memory test is a test of a person’s digit span, a subcategory of their memory. An IQ test is a test of a person’s reasoning and problem-solving capabilities.
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