Cited by 3,078Cognitive Abilities and TestingNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesCognitive Functions and Memory

Working memory, short-term memory, and general fluid intelligence: A latent-variable approach.

Engle, Randall W., Tuholski, Stephen W., Laughlin, James E., Conway, Andrew R. A.·1999·Journal of Experimental Psychology: General

Abstract

A study was conducted in which 133 participants performed 11 memory tasks (some thought to reflect working memory and some thought to reflect short-term memory), 2 tests of general fluid intelligence, and the Verbal and Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Tests. Structural equation modeling suggested that short-term and working memories reflect separate but highly related constructs and that many of the tasks used in the literature as working memory tasks reflect a common construct. Working memory shows a strong connection to fluid intelligence, but short-term memory does not. A theory of working memory capacity and general fluid intelligence is proposed: The authors argue that working memory capacity and fluid intelligence reflect the ability to keep a representation active, particularly in the face of interference and distraction. The authors also discuss the relationship of this capability to controlled attention, and the functions of the prefrontal cortex.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0096-3445.128.3.309

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Authors
Engle, R. W., Tuholski, S. W., Laughlin, J. E., & Conway, A. R. A.
Affiliations
Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
Venue
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
Published
1999-09
Volume
128
Issue
3
Pages
309-331
ISSN
  • 0096-3445 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2222
OpenAlex
W2025264833
Cited by
3,078
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 53 · 2025: 73 · 2024: 90 · 2023: 103 · 2022: 86 · 2021: 136 · 2020: 135 · 2019: 189 · 2018: 151 · 2017: 172 · 2016: 188 · 2015: 170 · 2014: 185 · 2013: 169 · 2012: 144
FWCI
55.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Experimental Psychology General (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01hd027490-03)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01-HD27490-01A1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
working memory, short-term memory, fluid intelligence, latent constructs, memory tasks, Scholastic Aptitude Test, working memory capacity, interference, attentional control, prefrontal cortex
MeSH terms
Adult, Attention, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Intelligence, Intelligence Tests, Male, Memory, Memory, Short-Term, Models, Psychological, Psychomotor Performance, Logistic Models

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