The role of working memory capacity in autobiographical retrieval: Individual differences in strategic search.
Summary of "The role of working memory capacity in autobiographical retrieval: Individual differences in strategic search."
Remembering previous experiences from one's personal past is a principal component of psychological well-being, personality, sense of self, decision making, and planning for the future. In the current study the ability to search for autobiographical information in memory was examined by having college students recall their Facebook friends. Individual differences in working memory capacity manifested itself in the search of autobiographical memory by way of the total number of friends remembered, the number of clusters of friends, size of clusters, and the speed with which participants could output their friends' names. Although working memory capacity was related to the ability to search autobiographical memory, participants did not differ in the manner in which they approached the search and used contextual cues to help query their memories. These results corroborate recent theorising, which suggests that working memory is a necessary component of self-generating contextual cues to strategically search memory for autobiographical information.
Affiliation
a Department of Psychology , University of Oregon , Eugene , OR , USA.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Memory (Hove, England)
ISSN: 1464-0686
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22273543
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2011.651087
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
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Small computers that lack the speed, memory capacity, and instructional capability of the full-size computer but usually retain its programmable flexibility. They are larger, faster, and more flexible, powerful, and expensive than microcomputers.
Executive Function
A set of cognitive functions that controls complex, goal-directed thought and behavior. Executive function involves multiple domains, such as CONCEPT FORMATION, goal management, cognitive flexibility, INHIBITION control, and WORKING MEMORY. Impaired executive function is seen in a range of disorders, e.g., SCHIZOPHRENIA; and ADHD.
Memory
Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
Role Playing
The adopting or performing the role of another significant individual in order to gain insight into the behavior of that person.
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Men and women working in the provision of health services, whether as individual practitioners or employees of health institutions and programs, whether or not professionally trained, and whether or not subject to public regulation. (From A Discursive Dictionary of Health Care, 1976)
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