Measuring Working Memory Capacity With Automated Complex Span Tasks

Thomas S. Redick; James M. Broadway; Matt E. Meier; Princy S. Kuriakose; Nash Unsworth; Michael J. Kane; Randall W. Engle

doi:10.1027/1015-5759/a000123

journal article Jan 01, 2012

Measuring Working Memory Capacity With Automated Complex Span Tasks

Thomas S. Redick James M. Broadway Matt E. Meier Princy S. Kuriakose Nash Unsworth

Michael J. Kane Randall W. Engle

European Journal of Psychological Assessment Vol. 28 No. 3 pp. 164-171 · Hogrefe Publishing Group

View at Publisher Save 10.1027/1015-5759/a000123

Abstract

Individual differences in working memory capacity are related to a variety of behaviors both within and outside of the lab. Recently developed automated complex span tasks have contributed to increasing our knowledge concerning working memory capacity by making valid and reliable assessments freely available for use by researchers. Combining the samples from three testing locations yielded data from over 6,000 young adult participants who performed at least one of three such tasks (Operation, Symmetry, and Reading Span). Normative data are presented here for researchers interested in applying cutoffs for their own applications, and information on the validity and reliability of the tasks is also reported. In addition, the data were analyzed as a function of sex and college status. While automated complex span tasks are just one way to measure working memory capacity, the use of a standardized procedure for administration and scoring greatly facilitates comparison across studies.

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Details

Published: Jan 01, 2012
Vol/Issue: 28(3)
Pages: 164-171

Authors

T

Thomas S. Redick

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

J

James M. Broadway

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

M

Matt E. Meier

University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

P

Princy S. Kuriakose

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

N

Nash Unsworth

University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA

M

Michael J. Kane

University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

R

Randall W. Engle

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

Cite This Article

Thomas S. Redick, James M. Broadway, Matt E. Meier, et al. (2012). Measuring Working Memory Capacity With Automated Complex Span Tasks. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 28(3), 164-171. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000123

Measuring Working Memory Capacity With Automated Complex Span Tasks

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