The Function of Working Memory in Coordination of Mental Transformation
In: Idealization VIII: Modelling in PsychologySearch for other papers by H. Hagendorf in
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Abstract
The working memory system is important in tasks which require moment-to-moment regulation of cognitive processing. This system is best understood as a multicomponent model. This paper is connected to the visual-spatial component of this model. The chapter is divided into three parts: (1) First, we consider the maintenance of visual-spatial representations. It is shown that maintenance requires some kind of control mechanism. Evidence is given which is based on a delayed matching task used as the primary task in dual task situations. (2) Second, it is assumed that the visual-spatial system plays an important role in imagery and the mental transformation of nonverbal information. It is shown with a serial rotation task that stability and clarity of representations determine the transformation efficiency. (3) Third, the coordination of several mental transformations is considered. It is shown that coordination is a separable process component in serial transformation tasks. The results are discussed in relation to the current models of working memory.