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MIXORA CONCEPT

Working memory

A limited system for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for an ongoing task.

thoughtbridgeStrong evidence
IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

Reasoning, reading and planning compete for limited working-memory resources. External notes and visible structure reduce the need to keep every part active at once.

What “Strong evidence” means

The core definition or effect is well established across authoritative standards, foundational research or a broad research literature. The label does not make every practical prediction certain.

Marker-board illustration created specifically to explain Working memory: A limited system for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for an ongoing task.VISUAL EXPLANATION · MARKER BOARD
A limited system for temporarily holding and manipulating information needed for an ongoing task.
EXAMPLE

An argument map lets you compare a premise and objection without remembering both word for word.

COMMON CONFUSION

Working memory is not the same as long-term knowledge or a fixed measure of intelligence.

ASK YOURSELF

Which information must remain active to complete this step?

RELATED CONCEPTS
thought × bridgeCognitive load

The demand a task places on limited mental processing and working-memory resources.

thought × bridgeAttention

Selective prioritization of some information for processing or action.

thoughtArgument

A set of claims in which one or more premises are offered in support of a conclusion.

References

Last reviewed

  1. 01
    Working Memory

    Alan Baddeley · 1992 · Science

    Working memory as temporary storage and manipulation supporting comprehension, learning and reasoning.
    Academic source
What the source labels mean
Primary source
Original work, experiment, standard or historical text.
Academic source
Scholarly research or review published for an academic audience.
Reference source
An expert standard, encyclopedia or institutional explanation that summarizes a field.
General reference
A practical specialist resource useful for application, but not treated as decisive research by itself.