Placekeeping Ability as a Component of Fluid Intelligence: Not Just Working Memory Capacity
Abstract
The question of what cognitive processes contribute to fluid intelligence (Gf)—the ability to solve novel problems—continues to be central in intelligence research. Here, we considered the contribution of placekeeping, which is the ability to perform a sequence of steps in a prescribed order without omissions or repetitions. Placekeeping plays a role in problem solving but also rests on the ability to remember past performance, so it may simply reduce to working memory capacity (WMC). To investigate this possibility, we evaluated whether placekeeping accounts for individual differences in Gf above and beyond WMC. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that placekeeping ability accounted for 12% of the variance in Gf above and beyond WMC. By contrast, WMC accounted for only 2% of the variance in Gf above and beyond placekeeping ability. Structural equation modeling revealed that placekeeping ability and WMC are distinct at the latent variable level, and together they accounted for 77% of the variance in Gf. However, whereas placekeeping ability significantly predicted Gf in the structural equation model, WMC did not. In general, the results suggest that placekeeping ability is distinct from WMC and contributes substantially to individual differences in Gf.
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The disengagement hypothesis treats maintenance and disengagement as two critical factors linking executive functioning to fluid intelligence.
“This framework views maintenance and disengagement as two critical factors linking executive functioning to fluid intelligence (Burgoyne & Engle, 2020;Burgoyne et al., 2019;Hambrick & Altmann, 2015;Shipstead et al., 2016).”
From Which “working memory” are we talking about? Complex span tasks versus N-back (2025) · cites this paper as Burgoyne et al., 2019
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Self-citationShortened complex span tasks can reliably measure working memory capacity
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Momentary interruptions can derail the train of thought.
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“(c) Sample stimulus for the transcription task This content downloaded from 35.10.95.222 on Thu, 26 Dec 2019 22:51:20 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms 442 • BUrGOYNE ET AL. scription of UNRAVEL, see Altmann, Trafton, and Hambrick (2014).”
MethodInfluentialSelf-citationWhat item response theory can tell us about the complex span tasks.
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Effects of interruption length on procedural errors
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Self-citationThe role of placekeeping ability in fluid intelligence
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Self-citationA Knowledge Activation Approach to Testing the Circumvention-of-Limits Hypothesis
Hambrick, D. Z., Altmann, E. M., & Burgoyne, A. P. (2018) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.5406/amerjpsyc.131.3.0307 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Self-citationPractice increases procedural errors after task interruption.
Altmann, E. M., & Hambrick, D. Z. (2017) · Journal of Experimental Psychology General · doi:10.1037/xge0000274 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
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Which “working memory” are we talking about? Complex span tasks versus N-back
Burgoyne, A. P., Frank, D. J., & Macnamara, B. N. (2025) · Psychonomic Bulletin & Review · doi:10.3758/s13423-024-02622-0 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Burgoyne, A. P., Hambrick, D. Z., & Altmann, E. M.
- Affiliations
- Michigan State University (US)
- Venue
- The American Journal of Psychology
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press
- Published
- 2019-12-01
- Volume
- 132
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 439-449
- ISSN
- 0002-9556 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-8298
- OpenAlex
- W2997781591
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 1.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The American Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Keywords
- fluid intelligence, working memory capacity, individual differences in intelligence, problem solving
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