Working memory supports inference learning just like classification learning.
Recent research has found a positive relationship between people's working memory capacity (WMC) and their speed of category learning. To date, only classification-learning tasks have been considered, in which people learn to assign category labels to objects. It is unknown whether learning to make inferences about category features might also be related to WMC. We report data from a study in which 119 participants undertook classification learning and inference learning, and completed a series of WMC tasks. Working memory capacity was positively related to people's classification and inference learning performance.
School of Psychology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
Stewart
S
Craig
Stephan
S
Lewandowsky
D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult