Raven's Matrices and Working Memory: A Dual-Task Approach
Abstract
Raven's Matrices Test was developed as a "pure" measure of Spearman's concept of general intelligence, g. Subsequent research has attempted to specify the processes underpinning performance, some relating it to the concept of working memory and proposing a crucial role for the central executive, with the nature of other components currently unclear. Up to this point, virtually all work has been based on correlational analysis of number of correct solutions, sometimes related to possible strategies. We explore the application to this problem of the concurrent task methodology used widely in developing the concept of multicomponent working memory. Participants attempted to solve problems from the matrices under baseline conditions, or accompanied by backward counting or verbal repetition tasks, assumed to disrupt the central executive and phonological loop components of working memory, respectively. As in other uses of this method, number of items correct showed little effect, while solution time measures gave very clear evidence of an important role for the central executive, but no evidence for phonological loop involvement. We conclude that this and related concurrent task techniques hold considerable promise for the analysis of Raven's matrices and potentially for other established psychometric tests.
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Inner speech does not appear necessary for tasks involving logical reasoning, even for verbal material.
“Thus, inner speech does not appear necessary for tasks involving logical reasoning, even for verbal material.”
From Inner Speech: Development, Cognitive Functions, Phenomenology, and Neurobiology (2015) · cites this paper as Rao & Baddeley, 2013
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- Authors
- Rao, K. V., & Baddeley, A.
- Affiliations
- University of York (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Baddeley, Alan
- ORCID
- Baddeley, Alan
- Venue
- Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2013-10
- Volume
- 66
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1881-1887
- ISSN
- 0033-555X (ISSN-L)
- 1747-0218
- 1747-0226
- OpenAlex
- W1985254326
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 2.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Raven's Progressive Matrices, general intelligence, working memory, central executive, phonological loop, dual-task interference, solution time, backward counting, verbal repetition
- MeSH terms
- Analysis of Variance, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Problem Solving, Psychometrics, Students, Universities
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