Age differences in visual working memory capacity: not based on encoding limitations

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2011.01060.x
• Publication Date: 2011-06-18T09:05:32Z
• Authors: Nelson Cowan; Angela M. AuBuchon; Amanda L. Gilchrist; Timothy J. Ricker; J. Scott Saults
• Keywords: Male; Aging; Adolescent; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; 16. Peace & justice; Young Adult; Cognition; Memory, Short-Term; Humans; Attention; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Child

Why does visual working memory performance increase with age in childhood? One recent study (Cowan et al., 2010b) ruled out the possibility that basic cause is a tendency young children to clutter less-relevant items (within concurrent array, colored presented one of two shapes). The differences performance, however, theoretically could result from inadequate encoding briefly array by younger children. We replicated key part procedure 6-8 and 11-13 years old college students (total N = 90), but much slower, sequential presentation ensure adequate encoding. also required verbal responses during encourage or discourage labeling item information. Although affected persisted across conditions, further supporting existence growth capacity.