Oberauer, Klaus (University of Potsdam, Germany) - Facets of working memory: an individual differences approach


Project:	Facets of working memory: an individual differences approach
Researchers:	Klaus Oberauer, Heinz-Martin Süß (University of Magdeburg), Werner W. Wittmann (University of Mannheim), Oliver Wilhelm (HU Berlin), Ralf Schulze (University of Mannheim)
Duration:	1995-1999
Support:	Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Description:	The project explores the factorial structure of working memory and its relationship to intelligence. Our facet theoretical framework postulates two dimensions (facets) for relevant distinctions of working memory capacity as an ability construct. On a functional facet, "simultaneous storage and processing", "supervision (executive functions)" and "coordination of elements into structures" are distinguished. On a content facet, we differentiate verbal, numerical and spatial working memory.
Results:	Two studies with about 130 participants and more than 20 different working memory tasks each provided evidence on the relevance of these distinctions. The verbal and numerical content domains were not differentiated in the two sets of working memory tasks employed so far, but spatial working memory was distinct from verbal-numerical working memory. On the functional facet, evidence was obtained from the second study for separate factors representing each of the three functions. Two of the three functional factors, "simultaneous storage and processing" and "coordination of elements into structures", are important predictors of reasoning ability and other intelligence constructs. The dissociation of "simultaneous storage and processing" and "coordination of elements into structures" provides evidence that the memory functions and the attentional functions of working memory can be distinguished and account for separate portions of the variance in reasoning ability.
Publications:	Oberauer, K., Süß, H.-M., Wilhelm, O. & Wittmann, W. W. (2003). The multiple faces of working memory: storage, processing, supervision, and coordination. Intelligence, 31, 167-193.
	Süß, H.-M., Oberauer, K., Wittmann, W. W., Wilhelm, O. & Schulze, R. (2002). Working- memory capacity explains reasoning ability - and a little bit more. Intelligence, 30, 261-288.
	Oberauer, K., Süß, H.-M., Schulze, R., Wilhelm, O. & Wittmann, W. W. (2000). Working memory capacity - facets of a cognitive ability construct. Personality and Individual Differences, 29, 1017-1045.

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