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Working Memory Capacity and Fluid Intelligence Are Strongly Related Constructs: Comment on Ackerman, Beier, and Boyle (2005).
Abstract
The authors agree with P. L. Ackerman, M. E. Beier, and M. O. Boyle (2005; see record 2004-22408-002) that working memory capacity (WMC) is not isomorphic with general fluid intelligence (Gf) or reasoning ability. However, the WMC and Gf/reasoning constructs are more strongly associated than Ackerman et al. (2005) indicate, particularly when considering the outcomes of latent-variable studies. The authors' reanalysis of 14 such data sets from 10 published studies, representing more than 3,100 young-adult subjects, suggests a strong correlation between WMC and Gf/reasoning factors (median r=.72), indicating that the WMC and Gf constructs share approximately 50% of their variance. This comment also clarifies the authors' "executive attention" view of WMC, it demonstrates that WMC has greater discriminant validity than Ackerman et al. (2005) implied, and it suggests some future directions and challenges for the scientific study of the convergence of WMC, attention control, and intelligence.
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“However, working memory capacity and intelligence share approximately 50% common variance (measured with latent variables; Kane et al., 2005).”
From Working Memory Training Does Not Improve Performance on Measures of Intelligence or Other Measures of “Far Transfer”: Evidence From a Meta-Analytic Review (2016) · cites this paper as Kane et al., 2005
In the citing paper
“Estimates report a shared variance of at least 50% (Kane, Hambrick, & Conway, 2005;Oberauer, Schulze, Wilhelm, & Suss, 2005)”
From Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory: a meta-analysis (2015) · cites this paper as Kane, Hambrick, & Conway, 2005
In the citing paper
“WM capacity is positively correlated with essential cognitive functions such as fluid intelligence and attentional processes (Engle, 2018;Kane, Hambrick, & Conway, 2005;Süß, Oberauer, Wittmann, Wilhelm, & Schulze, 2002).”
From Working memory training in typically developing children: A multilevel meta-analysis (2020) · cites this paper as Kane et al., 2005
In the citing paper
“WM capacity, that is, the number of items WM can retain and manipulate, is strongly correlated with fluid intelligence (Engle, Tuholski, Laughlin, & Conway, 1999;Kane, Hambrick, & Conway, 2005)”
From Working memory training does not enhance older adults' cognitive skills: A comprehensive meta-analysis (2019) · cites this paper as Kane, Hambrick, & Conway, 2005
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Metadata
- Authors
- Kane, M. J., Hambrick, D. Z., & Conway, A. R. A.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
- Michigan State University (US)
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 2005-01
- Volume
- 131
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 66-71
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- OpenAlex
- W2021304061
- Cited by
- 545
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 35 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 24.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (submittedVersion)
- 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 capacity, fluid intelligence, general intelligence, reasoning skills, latent variable analysis, construct validity, discriminant validity, executive attention, attentional control
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Intelligence, Memory
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