working memory
WUR-king MEM-oh-ree
ˈwɜːrkɪŋ ˈmɛməriːListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
a limited-capacity cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for use in ongoing mental tasks such as reasoning, comprehension, and learning; proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974), it comprises a central executive, a phonological loop for verbal information, a visuospatial sketchpad for spatial and visual information, and an episodic buffer linking subsystems; distinct from short-term memory in that it actively processes, not merely stores, information
Examples
- Working memory capacity predicts academic performance more reliably than IQ in many studies.
- When you do mental arithmetic, you rely on working memory to hold intermediate results.
Synonyms: short-term working memory, active memory
Pronunciation tips
Do not confuse with 'short-term memory' (which implies passive storage) or 'long-term memory'. Working memory is the brain's mental scratchpad.
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