title: [Working memory and executive control: inhibitory processes in updating and random generation tasks].
abstract: Working Memory (WM) span predicts subjects' performance in control executive tasks and, in addition, it has been related to the capacity to inhibit irrelevant information. In this paper we investigate the role of WM span in two executive tasks focusing our attention on inhibitory components of both tasks. High and low span participants recalled targets words rejecting irrelevant items at the same time (Experiment 1) and they generated random numbers (Experiment 2). Results showed a clear relation between WM span and performance in both tasks. In addition, analyses of intrusion errors (Experiment 1) and stereotyped responses (Experiment 2) indicated that high span individuals were able to efficiently use the inhibitory component implied in both tasks. The pattern of data provides support to the relation between WM span and control executive tasks through an inhibitory mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Macizo
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bajo
authors.forename: Maria Felipa
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Soriano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011932:Reading