Small between-task relative to within-task interference in dual-task studies supports functional separation of phonological and visuospatial working memory, and newer experiments led Cowan's group to add specialized verbal and visual resources to the embedded-processes account¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · theoretical r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2015 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Relatively small between-task interference compared to within-task interference in dual-task studies with verbal and visuospatial materials constitutes a strong argument for functional separation of phonological and visuospatial working memory. → Soemer 2015

Evidence¶

Soemer 2015¶

Soemer, A. (2015). The Multicomponent Working Memory Model, Attention, and Long-term Memory in Multimedia Learning: A Comment on Schweppe and Rummer (2014). Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9303-9

q2 · i? · theoretical · r3

The commentary's assessment of the dual-task literature: the interference pattern "continues to constitute a strong argument for the functional separation of phonological and (visuo)spatial working memory". No new data are reported; the pattern is attributed to prior dual-task studies.

"Relatively small between-task interference in comparison to within-task interference in dual-task studies with verbal and visuospatial materials continues to constitute a strong argument for the functional separation of phonological and (visuo)spatial working memory."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Cowan's three-factor embedded processes model fit young children's working memory data slightly better than Baddeley and Hitch's three-factor model and decisively better than Baddeley's four-factor episodic buffer model — related
• A common attentional component is needed for feature binding, running digit span, and visual short-term memory tasks, while phonological storage is separate — related
• Digit span running loaded on the focus of attention factor rather than the phonological factor, supporting Cowan's claim that running span performance reflects attentional capacity — related
• Schweppe and Rummer's rejection of the multicomponent model as a basis for multimedia theories rests on a misinterpretation of the working memory–long-term memory relationship — related