The evolutionary analogy for a smaller working memory being more efficient is doubtful¶
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Evidence · 1 study · theoreticalr2·q1
Currency · newest study 2007 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person
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q1 i? The authors doubt Sweller's argument that a smaller working memory is more efficient, since a larger working memory would allow longer operation sequences to be stored and anticipated. → Schnotz 2007
Evidence¶
Schnotz 2007¶
Schnotz, W., Kürschner, C. (2007). A Reconsideration of Cognitive Load Theory. Educational Psychology Review 19, 469–508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-007-9053-4
q1 · i? · theoretical · r2
Theoretical counter-argument in the notes: the authors are "in doubt, however, whether the analogy between biological evolution and cognition really holds", arguing a larger working memory would be "more advantageous for learning than a smaller working memory".
"A larger working memory would then allow longer sequences of operations being stored and memorized and, thus, be more advantageous for learning than a smaller working memory."
Discussion¶
Related Claims¶
- The collective working memory effect: group learning is more efficient than individual learning for high-complexity tasks, but individual learning is more efficient for low-complexity tasks
- The definitions of cognitive load used in cognitive load theory are not fully equivalent
- Building extensive, well-organized domain knowledge may enhance functional use of intelligence in novel problems — related
Page metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
type |
claim |
id |
doubt-on-smaller-working-memory-efficiency-analogy |
title |
The evolutionary analogy for a smaller working memory being more efficient is doubtful |
description |
The evolutionary analogy for a smaller working memory being more efficient is doubtful |
status |
review |
evidence_strength |
weak |
newest_evidence |
2007 |
generated |
by process:wiki-ingest on 2026-10-15 |
trust |
unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content |
sources |
1 — schnotz-2007 |
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