Decomposing the n-back task: An individual differences study using the reference-back paradigm
Abstract
Working memory (WM) has two major functions: Maintenance, which is the ability to shield information from being overwritten by irrelevant information, and updating, the ability to modify the maintained information when needed. These two conflicting demands are suggested to be controlled by a gating mechanism (for review see O'Reilly (2006)) which enables selective control over updating. Information is robustly maintained in WM when the gate is closed, while opening the gate enables updating. In the present study, we utilized the reference-back paradigm in order to examine their unique contribution to individual differences in n-back, presumably the most widely-used WM updating task. The reference-back is composed of two types of trials: reference trials which require both matching (i.e., a same/different judgment) and WM updating, and comparison trials which require matching and maintenance. Eighty-eight participants performed the following tasks: 2-choice RT, 1-back, 2-back and the reference-back task. A multiple regression approach was taken in order to explain individual differences in 1-back and 2-back. The reference-back task enabled separating the contribution of the matching decision (difference between mismatch and match), gate-opening (the switch cost in reference trials), gate closing (the switch cost in comparison trials) and WM updating (the difference between reference and comparison trials) to task performance. An intrusion component (WM based proactive interfer…
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The results fully replicated previous studies by revealing large and highly significant behavioral costs of working memory updating, gate opening, and gate closing.
“In sum, the results fully replicated previous studies by revealing large and highly significant behavioral costs of WM updating, gate opening, and gate closing.”
From Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine’s precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating (2020) · cites this paper as Rac-Lubashevsky & Kessler, 2016a
The reference-back paradigm is well-suited to disentangle component processes of working memory.
“In summary, the reference-back paradigm is well-suited to disentangle component processes of WM.”
From Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine’s precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating (2020) · cites this paper as Rac-Lubashevsky & Kessler, 2016a
Individual differences in reference-back performance positively correlated with performance on the N-back paradigm.
“First, individual differences in reference-back performance positively correlated with performance on the N-back paradigm (Rac-Lubashevsky & Kessler, 2016a), consistent with the idea that both tap into WM.”
From Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine’s precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating (2020) · cites this paper as Rac-Lubashevsky & Kessler, 2016a
Rac-Lubashevsky and Kessler (2016a) also reported numerically greater variance in gate opening performance relative to the other contrasts.
“Rac-Lubashevsky and Kessler (2016a) also reported numerically greater variance in gate opening performance relative to the other contrasts”
From Baseline-dependent effect of dopamine’s precursor L-tyrosine on working memory gating but not updating (2020) · cites this paper as Rac-Lubashevsky and Kessler (2016a)
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Psychosocial stress induces working memory impairments in an n-back paradigm.
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From an Executive Network to Executive Control: A Computational Model of the<i>n</i>-back Task
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Tracking Real-Time Changes in Working Memory Updating and Gating with the Event-Based Eye-Blink Rate
Rac-Lubashevsky, R., Slagter, H. A., & Kessler, Y. (2017) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-017-02942-3 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Self-citationRac-Lubashevsky, R., & Kessler, Y. (2018) · Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience · doi:10.1162/jocn_a_01326 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citationJongkees, B. J. (2020) · Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/s13415-020-00783-8 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Roque-Gutierrez, E., & Ibbotson, P. (2023) · Journal of Experimental Child Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2022.105593 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Rac-Lubashevsky, R., & Kessler, Y.
- Affiliations
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Rac-Lubashevsky, Rachel
- Venue
- Neuropsychologia
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-09
- Volume
- 90
- Pages
- 190-199
- ISSN
- 0028-3932 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2476884831
- Cited by
- 96
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4
- FWCI
- 8.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuropsychologia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Israel Science Foundation (#458/14)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Keywords
- n-back task, working memory updating, working memory maintenance, individual differences, gating mechanism, switch costs, proactive interference, reaction time (psychology)
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention, Bayes Theorem, Choice Behavior, Female, Humans, Individuality, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Neuropsychological Tests, Photic Stimulation, Reaction Time, Sensory Gating, Young Adult
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