Working Memory Capacity as Executive Attention

Randall W. Engle

doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00160

journal article Feb 01, 2002

Working Memory Capacity as Executive Attention

Randall W. Engle

Current Directions in Psychological Science Vol. 11 No. 1 pp. 19-23 · SAGE Publications

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/1467-8721.00160

Abstract

Performance on measures of working memory (WM) capacity predicts performance on a wide range of real-world cognitive tasks. I review the idea that WM capacity (a) is separable from short-term memory, (b) is an important component of general fluid intelligence, and (c) represents a domain-free limitation in ability to control attention. Studies show that individual differences in WM capacity are reflected in performance on antisaccade, Stroop, and dichotic-listening tasks. WM capacity, or executive attention, is most important under conditions in which interference leads to retrieval of response tendencies that conflict with the current task.

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Details

Published: Feb 01, 2002
Vol/Issue: 11(1)
Pages: 19-23
License: View

Authors

R

Randall W. Engle

School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Cite This Article

Randall W. Engle (2002). Working Memory Capacity as Executive Attention. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(1), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.00160

Working Memory Capacity as Executive Attention

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