What is working memory capacity, and how can we measure it?
Open accessAbstract
A latent variable study examined whether different classes of working-memory tasks measure the same general construct of working-memory capacity (WMC). Data from 270 subjects were used to examine the relationship between Binding, Updating, Recall-N-back, and Complex Span tasks, and the relations of WMC with secondary memory measures, indicators of cognitive control from two response-conflict paradigms (Simon task and Eriksen flanker task), and fluid intelligence. Confirmatory factor analyses support the concept of a general WMC factor. Results from structural-equation modeling show negligible relations of WMC with response-conflict resolution, and very strong relations of WMC with secondary memory and fluid intelligence. The findings support the hypothesis that individual differences in WMC reflect the ability to build, maintain and update arbitrary bindings.
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Wilhelm et al. reported a very high correlation (r = .92) between a latent factor consisting of n-back tasks and another factor comprising tasks similar to the arithmetical updating task, and argued that both types of task measure the same updating construct.
“Wilhelm et al. [48] reported a very high correlation (r = .92) between a latent factor consisting of n-back tasks and another factor comprising tasks similar to the arithmetical updating task, and they argued that both types of task measure the same updating construct.”
From Nearest transfer effects of working memory training: A comparison of two programs focused on working memory updating (2019) · cites this paper as [48]
The n-back and arithmetical updating tasks tap the same process, WMU.
“The n-back and arithmetical updating tasks were chosen as training tasks because they tap the same process, i.e., WMU. Both types of updating task have been considered as indicators of the same latent factor [47].”
From Nearest transfer effects of working memory training: A comparison of two programs focused on working memory updating (2019) · cites this paper as [48]
Transfer to another, structurally similar updating task tapping the same process as the trained one may sometimes prove unsuccessful.
“Our findings thus indicate that transfer to another, structurally similar updating task tapping the same process as the trained one [48] may sometimes prove unsuccessful.”
From Nearest transfer effects of working memory training: A comparison of two programs focused on working memory updating (2019) · cites this paper as [48]
The binding hypothesis views the working memory system as reflecting the ability to rapidly build, maintain, and update bindings or relations between memory items.
“the “binding hypothesis” (e.g., Wilhelm et al., 2013) views the working memory system as reflecting the ability to rapidly build, maintain, and update bindings or relations between memory items.”
From Which “working memory” are we talking about? Complex span tasks versus N-back (2025) · cites this paper as Wilhelm et al., 2013
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- Authors
- Wilhelm, O., Hildebrandt, A., & Oberauer, K.
- Affiliations
- Universität Ulm (DE)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Wilhelm, Oliver
- Venue
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2013
- Volume
- 4
- Pages
- 433-433
- ISSN
- 1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3721021
- OpenAlex
- W2115768836
- Cited by
- 468
- References
- 78
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 20.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
- OPen Access Repositorium der Universität Ulm (OPARU) (Ulm University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- edoc Publication server (Humboldt University of Berlin) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Universität Ulm, Kommunikations- und Informationszentrum (kiz) (cc-by)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
- Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- 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, latent constructs, binding, updating, complex span, secondary memory, cognitive control, response conflict, Simon task, flanker task, fluid intelligence, individual differences
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