title: Developmental change in the relation between simple and complex spans: a meta-analysis.
abstract: In the present meta-analysis the effects of developmental level on the correlation between simple and complex span tasks were investigated. Simple span-complex span correlation coefficients presented in 52 independent samples (7,060 participants) were regressed on a variable representing mean age of sample (range: 4.96-22.80 years), using analyses adapted for meta-analytic purposes. The results showed strong positive relations between mean age of sample and simple span-complex span correlation coefficients, suggesting that the relation between simple and complex span tasks became stronger with increasing age. These results could not be accounted for by study-related differences in measurement reliability, restricted range, or sample size. A new theoretical account explaining these findings is outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. carin.tillman@psychology.su.se
authors.forename: Carin M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tillman
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006803:Human Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors