The contribution of working memory to fluid reasoning: Capacity, control, or both?

Chuderski, Adam; Necka, Edward

doi:10.1037/a0028465

Cited by 60Cognitive Abilities and TestingNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesDevelopmental and Educational Neuropsychology

The contribution of working memory to fluid reasoning: Capacity, control, or both?

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Chuderski, Adam, Necka, Edward·2012·Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition

DOI 10.1037/a0028465

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Abstract

Fluid reasoning shares a large part of its variance with working memory capacity (WMC). The literature on working memory (WM) suggests that the capacity of the focus of attention responsible for simultaneous maintenance and integration of information within WM, as well as the effectiveness of executive control exerted over WM, determines individual variation in both WMC and reasoning. In 6 experiments, we used a modified n-back task to test the amount of variance in reasoning that is accounted for by each of these 2 theoretical constructs. The capacity of the focus accounted for up to 62% of variance in fluid reasoning, while the recognition of stimuli encoded outside of the focus was not related to reasoning ability. Executive control, measured as the ability to reject distractors identical to targets but presented in improper contexts, accounted for up to 13% of reasoning variance. Multiple analyses indicated that capacity and control predicted non-overlapping amounts of variance in reasoning.

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These results imply that N-back training does not merely enhance task-specific strategies but may change underlying WM components such as focus of attention capacity or updating, which can support Matrix Reasoning.
“These results imply that N-back training does not seem to merely enhance task-specific strategies, but may lead to changes in underlying components of WM such as the capacity of the focus of attention41 or updating42, which in turn can support performance on Matrix Reasoning problems43.”
From Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning (2022) · cites this paper as [41]

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Authors: Chuderski, A., & Necka, E.
Affiliations: Jagiellonian University (PL)
ORCID: Chuderski, Adam
Venue: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2012
Volume: 38
Issue: 6
Pages: 1689-1710
ISSN: 0278-7393 (ISSN-L)
1939-1285
DOI: 10.1037/a0028465
OpenAlex: W2135800811
Cited by: 60
References: 83
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5
FWCI: 6.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
ruj.uj.edu.pl
Licence: cc-by-nc-nd
Locations: Journal of Experimental Psychology Learning Memory and Cognition (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Homo Politicus (Academy of Humanities and Economics in Lodz) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders: Sponsor name not included (N106 2857/32)
National Science Centre of Poland (N106 417140)
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 › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
Keywords: fluid reasoning, working memory capacity, executive function, attentional focus, n-back task, individual differences, distractor rejection, cognitive architecture
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Attention, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Photic Stimulation, Problem Solving, Reaction Time, Young Adult, Executive Function

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The contribution of working memory to fluid reasoning: Capacity, control, or both?

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