title: Working memory, short-term memory, and general fluid intelligence: a latent-variable approach.
abstract: A study was conducted in which 133 participants performed 11 memory tasks (some thought to reflect working memory and some thought to reflect short-term memory), 2 tests of general fluid intelligence, and the Verbal and Quantitative Scholastic Aptitude Tests. Structural equation modeling suggested that short-term and working memories reflect separate but highly related constructs and that many of the tasks used in the literature as working memory tasks reflect a common construct. Working memory shows a strong connection to fluid intelligence, but short-term memory does not. A theory of working memory capacity and general fluid intelligence is proposed: The authors argue that working memory capacity and fluid intelligence reflect the ability to keep a representation active, particularly in the face of interference and distraction. The authors also discuss the relationship of this capability to controlled attention, and the functions of the prefrontal cortex.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Inst of Technology.
authors.forename: Randall W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Engle
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Tuholski
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Laughlin
authors.forename: Andrew R A
authors.initials: ARA
authors.lastname: Conway
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance