Working Memory: What it is and How to assess it?

1. Working Memory: What It Is and How to Assess it? Have you ever forgotten a name or a phone number just seconds after hearing it? Or struggled to remember a list of items for a shopping trip? Losing track of certain memories can be frustrating; however, they are a part and parcel of everyday life. Wondering why this happens? Well, these are the result of limitations in our working memory. Working memory is the cognitive system that briefly allows us to temporarily store and manipulate information. It plays a critical role in performing different mental tasks, including learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and language comprehension. In this article, we will explore what working memory is, how it works, and how it can be assessed with a working memory test. What is Working Memory? Working memory falls under the umbrella of short-term memory allowing us to keep information in mind while we use it to perform a mental task. It is a limited- capacity system that can hold only a small amount of information for a brief period, typically less than 30 seconds. The working memory capacity varies from person to person, but on average, it can hold around seven items. The active memory system involves both storage and manipulation of information. For example, when we read a sentence, we use our working memory to hold onto the words we have already read while we process the words that come next. It also allows us to perform mental arithmetic, remember a phone number long enough to dial it, or recall the steps of a recipe as we cook. How Does Working Memory Work? Working memory consists of three main components: the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad, and the central executive. The phonological loop is responsible for processing and storing verbal information, such as words and numbers, while the visuospatial sketchpad processes and stores visual and spatial information, such as shapes and colors. The central executive is the control center of working memory, responsible for coordinating and integrating the information from the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad. It is also responsible for selecting and switching between different types of information, such as verbal and visual information, depending on the task at hand.

2. How to Assess Working Memory? Assessing working memory is essential for understanding cognitive abilities, diagnosing learning difficulties, and developing effective interventions. Working memory can be assessed in several ways, including: •Standardized Tests: One of the most common methods for assessing working memory is standardized tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). These tests involve presenting participants with a series of tasks requiring them to remember and manipulate verbal or visual information for a short period. •Computerized Tasks: Computerized tasks are becoming increasingly popular for assessing working memory due to their flexibility, precision, and ease of administration. These tasks involve presenting participants with different stimuli, such as numbers or letters, and asking them to remember and manipulate the information in various ways. •Neuroimaging Techniques: Neuroimaging techniques can provide valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying working memory. They can identify brain regions activated during working memory tasks and assess the relationship between neural activity and working memory performance and might range from Functional magnetic resonance imaging to Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Instead of static data, researchers can leverage cognitive functioning assessment apps for running longitudinal studies on key cognitive domains like memory, attention, executive function, etc. Please visit NeuroUX for more information!