Working memory
Do different working memory tasks measure the same thing?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
Different working memory tests do measure the same underlying mental capacity once measurement errors and task-specific differences are statistically controlled.
Key findings
They found that after controlling for task-specific differences and errors, the underlying factors for complex span and n-back tasks correlated at 0.69 in both age groups. Furthermore, the general working memory factor accounted for 71% of the variance in reasoning for younger adults, and 83% for older adults. When using fewer, more similar tasks to measure working memory, the correlation with reasoning was weaker, showing that a diverse mix of tasks provides a better measure of the construct.
Methodology
The researchers evaluated 101 younger and 103 older adults using nine different working memory tasks representing several distinct experimental paradigms. To validate their findings against a broader cognitive ability, they also had participants complete nine reasoning tasks. They used structural equation modeling to separate task-specific variance and measurement error from the shared working memory construct.
Limitations
The study does not establish causal mechanisms, meaning it cannot prove whether working memory capacity directly drives reasoning ability or if both are influenced by a third cognitive variable. Because the participants were restricted to healthy younger adults aged 20 to 31 and cognitively healthy older adults aged 65 to 80, the results might not generalize to children, clinical populations, or other age groups. Additionally, the research relies on a specific set of lab paradigms and does not prove that all possible working memory tasks will fit this hierarchical structure equally well.
How this study connects
Role on claims
Each row is a claim on a concept or method page where this paper supports, challenges, or qualifies the statement. Roles are hand-checked — not a model guess.
General working memory capacity is highly integrated and strongly correlates with fluid intelligence.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
Although tested using different paradigms like complex span and n-back, these tests measure the same underlying mental capacity once task-specific errors are controlled.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
After controlling for task-specific demands and measurement errors, the underlying latent construct measured by n-back tasks correlates strongly (at 0.69) with that of complex span tasks, showing they assess the same underlying working memory capacity.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
A general working memory factor derived from a diverse set of tasks (including the n-back) is a powerful predictor of reasoning ability, accounting for 71% of reasoning variance in younger adults and 83% in older adults.
Evidence for the claim as stated.
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