StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The definition and study of human intelligence is a subject that has attracted its fair share of controversy over the years. This is largely because there’s no consensus in how intelligence is defined…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.8% of users find it useful
Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence"

?Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence: The definition and study of human intelligence is a that has attracted its fair share of controversy over the years. This is largely because there’s no consensus in how intelligence is defined. For example, while some scholars attribute practical problem solving skills, verbal ability and social competence as measures of intelligence, others include adaptability to new problems and situations, capacity for knowledge and creativity as key indicators. Then there are recent sociologists such as Daniel Goleman, who have revolutionized the concept of intelligence by including an ‘emotional’ dimension to the already accepted ‘cognitive’ dimension. Hence, the study of human intelligence is presently a flourishing field of scientific inquiry with a broad range of perspectives and approaches leading to its understanding. It is in this context that the role of working memory in the functioning of intelligence should be investigated. Working memory (WM), alongside other components of general cognitive architecture such as length comparison, reading comprehension and abstract reasoning, has been identified as strong candidates for individual differences in intellectual abilities. Casually, working memory can be described as a ‘mental jotting pad’. How spacious it is will determine an individual’s learning ability. Theoretically, Working memory is defined as “the work space of the mind, a system for accessing goal-relevant information as needed to support complex cognition. This theoretical definition is supported by widespread observations.” (Broadway & Engle, 2010, p.563) In other words, working memory is key for understanding a broad range of phenomena that finds application in many applied disciplines of psychology such as clinical, educational, social and neuropsychological fields. It is also noted to be important for frontal lobe function (executive ability). But working memory is far from a simple ‘work space of the mind’, in that, it is comprised of “multiple component processes for maintaining, accessing, manipulating, and coordinating information.” (Broadway & Engle, 2010, p.563) Hence, scholars have attempted to isolate hypothetical working memory processes that are behind observed links between WM capacity and complex cognition. Present theories differ in their depth and focus, but there is a growing agreement among researchers that executive, attention-related processes are crucial to these links. In a research experiment conducted by the scholar team of Broadway & Engle (2010), the findings show correlation between working memory and general fluid intelligence. Their results indicate that the span of running memory is a strong indicator of working memory space and is also equated with general fluid intelligence. However, it may not be as directly responsive to details of administration as has been so far thought. The results “add to growing evidence that running memory span tasks function similarly to complex-span tasks as measures of working memory capacity that are strongly predictive of general fluid intelligence.” (Broadway & Engle, 2010, p.563) The research team of Fukuda, Vogel, et.al., further add evidence to the link between working memory and intelligence. They assert that working memory (WM) plays a core role in most large-scale models of cognition. Additionally, the incentive for further research on WM is due to its strong correlations with measures of broader intelligence such as SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores and fluid intelligence. Continuing and reinforcing on the theme studied by Broadway and Engle, Fukunda, et.al. write that the connection between working memory capacity and fluid intelligence has now been established across an array of experimental paradigms. One of these experimental approaches has shown this connection “estimated using complex span measures that were designed to tap into both storage capacity and processing aspects of WM ability. Moreover, although several studies have emphasized the importance of the processing component in complex span tasks for the link with fluid intelligence, subsequent research has shown that even tasks that measure pure storage-in the absence of secondary processing loads-exhibit clear correlations with fluid intelligence. Therefore, pure storage capacity alone is linked with the broader construct of fluid intelligence.” (Fukuda, et.al, 2010, p.673) Scientific evidence connecting storage capacity in WM and fluid intelligence is a significant stage in comprehending basic determinants of intelligence. Specifically, the simple tasks incorporated in such experiments lead to obvious conclusions about basic cognitive processes that are behind fluid intelligence. These conclusions are also consistent with data from complex span procedures which assess mental abilities such as dual task coordination, resistance to interference, and access to secondary memory. (Fukuda, et.al, 2010, p.673) Further, the work by Fukuda and team reveal new insights into the role played by WM. For example, by employing a simple change detection procedure, they were able to obtain significant support for a “two-factor model of WM capacity, in which the number and resolution of the representations in WM are determined by distinct aspects of memory ability. This two-factor model enabled a straightforward test of which aspects of WM capacity mediate its link with fluid intelligence. The data were very clear. The number of representations that could be held in WM showed a robust correlation with fluid intelligence (r = .66), whereas mnemonic resolution showed no trace of a reliable link with fluid intelligence (r = -.05). Thus, the relationship between storage capacity in WM and fluid intelligence appears to be mediated solely by the maximum number of items that can be simultaneously stored in WM, rather than by the resolution or precision of those representations.” (Fukuda, et.al, 2010, p.673) In a similar research project undertaken by Salthouse and Pink (2008), more insights into the relationship between working memory and intelligence are obtained. Not only did they find correlations between WM and fluid intelligence, but also between WM and general intelligence. Employing widely used assessment tools in cognitive psychology, the researchers were able to present participants with a range of tasks to measure WM, with some ambiguity as to what constructs the tasks represent. One task is to mentally rearrange items in a sequence. Another task involved assessing verbal fluency, generation of random numerals, and task switching efficiency. WAIS-III scale first proposed by Wechsler in 1997 is another robust method of arriving at WM index. The scale is based on participant performance in basic forward/backward digit span, verbal/arithmetic problems and letter-number sequencing tasks. Indeed, some of the tests and tasks used for working memory measurement resemble those used for measuring Intelligence Quotient and higher order cognition. Hence, it is unreasonable to claim that “the WM construct is theoretically more tractable or less opaque than are intelligence constructs, given the fact that it is operationalized in so many different ways that appear to have little conceptual integration.” (Salthouse & Pink, 2008, p.364 ) While the role played by working memory in the manifestation of intelligence is universally agreed, the same cannot be said of visual working memory (VWM). There is ongoing debate among scholars in this regard, with evidence both for and against the capacity of VWM to reflect “a central limit that is a bottleneck in higher order cognition”. (Cusack, et.al., 2009, p.641) One frequently used method to measure VWM is ‘change detection’. In this experiment, a memo consisting of numerous coloured squares are shown for a small duration. This is done in order to reduce chunking or the piecemeal transfer of items into phonological working memory. Following this, a delay of approximately 1 second is introduced to make sure that sensory representations responsible for iconic memory are perished. This is followed by a probe display. The participant will then be asked to compare the color and position of items in the probe with those in the sample. Using this method, VWM is shown to be an indicator of fluid intelligence and academic performance in both children and adults. (Cusack, et.al., 2009, p.641) Apart from systematic/scientific methods of finding the role played by WM in the expression of intelligence, there is also the evidence given by educators. Academics in the UK contend that the underperformance of pupils in their school exams could be due to deficient working memory rather than poor intelligence. When a research team from Durham University surveyed more than 3,000 school children, it found that one in ten students across all grade levels suffered from inadequate working memory that undermines their academic performance. But what is troublesome is the fact that teachers are seldom privy to this memory deficiency problem, and instead attribute inattention or lack of intelligence for the students’ failure to learn. This is where school administrators need to be careful. They should work with children with poor working memory and device suitable intervention programs. Since working memory disposition tends to be inheritable, the education and career prospects of these disadvantaged children can depend on timely intervention. In this context, the Working Memory Rating Scale (WMRS) is a handy tool for educators. For example, the WMRS will help teachers to recognize children who potentially have a working memory deficiency without even subjecting them to a test. Since the WMRS is designed in a checklist format, teachers can assess working memory problems by the scores indicated by the checklist. For example, a high score is a strong indicator of WM problems. They can then proceed to give practical recommendations for these pupils, which include “repetition of instructions, talking in simple short sentences and breaking down tasks into smaller chunks of information.” (McKay, 2008, p.9) References Broadway, J. M., & Engle, R. W. (2010). Validating Running Memory Span: Measurement of Working memory Capacity and Links with Fluid Intelligence. Behavior Research Methods, 42(2), 563+. Cusack, R., Lehmann, M., Veldsman, M., & Mitchell, D. J. (2009). Encoding Strategy and Not Visual Working memory Capacity Correlates with Intelligence. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 16(4), 641+. Fukuda, K., Vogel, E., Mayr, U., & Awh, E. (2010). Quantity, Not Quality: the Relationship between Fluid Intelligence and Working memory Capacity. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 17(5), 673+. McKay, Neil. A Question of Memory; Poor Recall 'Affects Learning Ability'. (2008, February 28). The Journal (Newcastle, England), p. 9. Salthouse, T. A., & Pink, J. E. (2008). Why Is Working memory Related to Fluid Intelligence?. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 15(2), 364+. Unsworth, N. (2009). Variation in Working memory Capacity, Fluid Intelligence, and Episodic Recall: a Latent Variable Examination of Differences in the Dynamics of Free Recall. Memory & Cognition, 37(6), 837+. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence Essay”, n.d.)
Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1440524-critically-discuss-the-role-of-working-memory-in-intelligence
(Critically Discuss the Role of Working Memory in Intelligence Essay)
Critically Discuss the Role of Working Memory in Intelligence Essay. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1440524-critically-discuss-the-role-of-working-memory-in-intelligence.
“Critically Discuss the Role of Working Memory in Intelligence Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1440524-critically-discuss-the-role-of-working-memory-in-intelligence.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Critically discuss the Role of Working memory in Intelligence

The Book The Mind at Work by Mike Rose

hellip; Born in 1944, Mike Rose is one of the greatest American literary scholars widely recognized for his insights into the struggles and challenges of working class Americans.... Throughout his book, Rose discusses a number of social and intellectual biases that are often associated with human intelligence and various professions.... In the literary context, the author uses the term agency to refer to the ability and decisions of individuals to apply their intelligence, skills and ability to change a given situation or make a difference....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Future of Artificial Intelligence

The recommendations, constituting a primary product of this project, represent delicate changes in the social role of engineers; however will become increasingly important as technology grows.... The emerging technology and programming techniques related to Artificial intelligence has continued to advance and provide new data in the quest to building a viable and working artificially intelligent machine.... hellip; This paper follows how the project teams responsible for developing artificial intelligence (AI) and explores the impact of said systems as well as how the impact of AI systems has on society, and proposes enhanced ethical and professional roles for artificial intelligence developers, with an emphasis on interpersonal communication and impact awareness. Through following the works of Hopfield, who has become the symbolic founding father of a very large and broad physics-based study of neural networks as dynamical systems, AI will surely continue to develop in the future....
85 Pages (21250 words) Essay

Artificial Intelligence Techniques Used in Autonomous Cars

In addition, an important mission of artificial intelligence paradigm is to create human like intelligence in machine to reinstate and assist humans in everyday tasks.... Some of the well-known techniques are outlined below: Basically, robotics is a field of artificial intelligence which deals with the study of robots.... This paper will discuss these concepts briefly.... This paper will discuss different AI techniques that are being used in these cars....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Human Resource Management

One group of people opine that issues should be dealt with rationally not allowing emotions to interfere with strategic decisions while another group acknowledges emotionality by considering the role of stress, levels of satisfaction, and trust.... The essay "Impact of Emotional intelligence on Human Resource Management" imposes that the concept of personnel management has evolved to human resource management (HRM) over the years and different perspectives have emerged in tackling issues like performance appraisal, skills analysis, training, and development, and merit pay....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Importance of Memory in Psychology

The paper further outlines the key findings and concepts regarding memory in terms of psychology.... This research provides an in-depth analysis of human memory.... Finally, the research will discuss a few experiments aimed at investigating the properties of memory.... hellip; How important is a memory?... Having no memory is just like having no past, which is essential in understanding the present.... memory, to which Carroll (1997) described as “one of the most fundamental properties of the human mind (par....
23 Pages (5750 words) Research Paper

The Role of Working Memory

nbsp; It is in this context that the role of working memory in the functioning of intelligence should be investigated.... It is in this context that the role of working memory in the functioning of intelligence should be investigated.... This essay "the role of working memory" critically discusses the role of the workspace of the mind, a system for accessing goal-relevant information as needed to support complex cognition.... Casually, working memory can be described as a 'mental jotting pad'....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Golemans Emotional Intelligence

He states that: “…a good part of SEL came from is impact in shaping children's developing neural circuitry, particularly the executive functions of the prefrontal cortex, which manage working memory…and inhibit disruptive emotional impulses” (Goleman 5).... The author of this book report "Golemans Emotional intelligence" casts light on the hidden dimension of overall intelligence.... According to the text, not all intelligent people are successful in life because not all of them have enough emotional intelligence....
7 Pages (1750 words) Book Report/Review

A Learner and Learning according to Piaget, Heidegger, and Gardner

Mistakes play a significant role while learning to provide a new angle of perspective to the world and society (Heidegger, 1968)).... … The paper “A Learner and Learning according to Piaget, Heidegger, and Gardner” is a well-turned variant of a literature review on human resources....
10 Pages (2500 words) Literature review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us