title: The role of working memory in rapid instructed task learning and intention-based reflexivity: An individual differences examination.
abstract: The ability to efficiently follow novel task instructions (Rapid Instructed Task Learning, RITL) appears late in evolution, is required for successful collaborative teamwork, and appears to involve maintaining instructions in working-memory (WM). RITL is indexed by the efficiency in which the instructions are performed (RITL success) and by whether the instructions operate automatically (intention-based reflexivity). Based on prior normative work employing WM-load manipulations, we predicted that individual differences in WM would positively correlate with these RITL indices. Participants (N=175) performed the NEXT paradigm, which is used to assess RITL, and tests of choice reaction time, intelligence, and WM. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that, contrary to our predictions, successful performance in WM tasks did not predict RITL performance. Tests tapping general-fluid intelligence and reaction time positively correlated with RITL success. However, contrary to our predictions, RITL success positively correlated with little intention-based reflexivity. We suggest that for a RITL paradigm to produce intention-based reflexivity, its WM demand must be low, and, thus, performance does not reflect individual differences in WM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: nmeiran@bgu.ac.il.
authors.forename: Nachshon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meiran
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Maayan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Givon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Danieli
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Nitzan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shahar
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension / Q000502:physiology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014706:Verbal Learning
keywords: Fluid intelligence; Intention-based reflexivity; NEXT paradigm; Rapid Instructed Task Learning; Reaction time; Structural Equations Modeling; Working memory