Working Memory: The Connected Intelligence

Working memory; the conscious processing of information; is increasingly recognised as one of the most important aspects of intelligence. This fundamental cognitive skill is deeply connected to a great variety of human experience; from our childhood, to our old age, from our evolutionary past, to our digital future.

In this volume, leading psychologists review the latest research on working memory and consider what role it plays in development and over the life span. It is revealed how a strong working memory is connected with success (academically and acquiring expertise) and a poor working memory is connected with failure (addictive behaviour and poor decision-making). The contributions also show how working memory played a role in our cognitive evolution and how the everyday things we do, such as what we eat and how much we sleep, can have an impact on how well it functions. Finally, the evidence on whether or not working memory training is beneficial is explored.

This volume is essential reading for students, researchers, and professionals with an interest in human memory and its improvement, including those working in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology, gerontology, education, health, and clinical psychology.

Table of Contents

Part I: Working Memory: The Connected Intelligence.

´ T.P. Alloway, R.G. Alloway, Working Memory: An Introduction.

´ A.R.A. Conway, B.N. Macnamara, P.M.J. Engel de Abreu, Working Memory and Intelligence: An Overview.

´ F.L. Coolidge, T.Wynn, K.A. Overmann, The Evolution of Working Memory.

Part II: Working Memory across the Lifespan.

´ T.P. Alloway, R.G. Alloway, Working Memory in Development.

´ C. Basak, E.M. Zelinski, A Hierarchical Model of Working Memory and its Change in Healthy Older Adults.

Part III: Working Memory and Expertise.

´ K.A. Ericsson, J.H. Moxley, Working Memory that Mediates ExpertsÍ Performance: Why it is Qualitatively Different from Traditional Working Memory.

´ D.Z. Hambrick, E.J. Meinz, Working Memory Capacity and Musical Skill.

Part IV: Working Memory and the Body and Mind.

´ S. Kanoski, Working Memory and Diet. P. Whitney,

´ P.J. Rosen, Sleep Deprivation and Performance: The Role of Working Memory.

´ L. Visu-Petra, L. Cheie, A.C. Miu, Working Memory and Anxiety: Exploring the Interplay of Individual Differences across Development.

´ A.S. Moss, D.A. Monti, A. Newberg, Working Memory and Mindfulness.

Part V: Working Memory and Decision Making.

´ A. Mattarella-Micke, S.L. Beilock, The Integration of Emotion and Cognitive Control.

´ B.J. Nagel, M.M. Herting, A. Cservenka,Working Memory and Addictive Behavior.

Part VI: The Future of Working Memory: Training.

´ S.M. Jaeggi, M. Buschkuehl, Training Working Memory.

´ C. Lustig, P.A. Reuter-Lorenz,Training Working Memory: Insights from Neuroimaging.

"This volume represents how the concept of working memory has increased in importance in contemporary psychology over the past 40 years. Once a concept relevant to cognitive psychologists, now analyses of working memory have been extended into practically every area of psychology -- intelligence, emotion, development, expertise, anxiety, emotion and addiction, among other topics. This volume provides cutting edge chapters by experts examining the central importance of working memory in contemporary psychology."
- Henry L. Roediger, III, Washington University in St. Louis

"The collection's strength is its breadth: essays cover how working memory is related to general intelligence, specific expertise, and decision making; changes in working memory from childhood to old age; how working memory is affected by the body; and the potential for improvements in working memory through training…Summing Up: Recommended."
- K. G. Akers, Emory University, for CHOICE, June 2013