On the waxing and waning of working memory: action orientation moderates the impact of demanding relationship primes on working memory capacity.
The present research examined how action- versus state-oriented individuals (Kuhl & Beckmann, 1994) utilize their working memory capacity under varying situational demands. Participants visualized either a demanding or an accepting person, after which their working memory capacity was assessed. Among action-oriented participants, visualizing a demanding person led to greater operation spans (Study 1) and superior memory for intention-related information (Study 2) than visualizing an accepting person. State-oriented participants displayed the opposite pattern, such that visualizing an accepting person led to greater operation spans (Study 1) and superior memory for intentions (Study 2) than visualizing a demanding person. These findings indicate that action versus state orientation moderates the impact of situational demands on working memory capacity.
Jostmann
Nils B
NB
Department of Social Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. nb.jostmann@psy.vu.nl
Koole
Sander L
SL
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D033182:Intention; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011340:Problem Solving; D012649:Self Concept; D014706:Verbal Learning