scholarly journals Oscillations in working memory and neural binding: a mechanism for multiple memories and their interactions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason E. Pina ◽  
Mark Bodner ◽  
Bard Ermentrout
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Memory Retention ◽  
Oscillatory Dynamics ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Neural Binding

AbstractNeural oscillations have been implicated in many different basic brain and cognitive processes. Oscillatory activity has been suggested to play a role in neural binding, and more recently in the maintenance of information in working memory. This latter work has focused primarily on oscillations in terms of providing a “code” in working memory. However, oscillations may additionally play a fundamental role in essential properties and behaviors that neuronal networks must exhibit in order to produce functional working memory. In the present work, we present a biologically plausible working memory model and demonstrate that specific types of stable oscillatory dynamics may play a critical role in facilitating properties of working memory, including transitions between different memory states and a multi-item working memory capacity. We also show these oscillatory dynamics may facilitate and provide an underlying mechanism to enable a range of different types of binding in the context of working memory.Author summaryWorking memory is a form of short-term memory that is limited in capacity to perhaps 3 – 5 items. Various studies have shown that ensembles of neurons oscillate during working memory retention, and cross-frequency coupling (between, e.g., theta and gamma frequencies) has been conjectured as underlying the observed limited capacity. Binding occurs when different objects or concepts are associated with each other and can persist as working memory representations; neuronal synchrony has been hypothesized as the neural correlate. We propose a novel computational model of a network of oscillatory neuronal populations that capture salient attributes of working memory and binding by allowing for both stable synchronous and asynchronous activity. The oscillatory dynamics we describe may provide a mechanism that can facilitate aspects of working memory, such as maintaining multiple items active at once, creating rich neural representations of memories via binding, and rapidly transitioning activtation patterns based on selective inputs.

scholarly journals Working memory as a factor mediating explicit and implicit knowledge of English grammar

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mirosław Pawlak ◽  
Adriana Biedroń
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Passive Voice ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Explicit And Implicit Knowledge ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This paper reports the findings of a study that investigated the relationship between phonological short-term memory (PSTM), working memory capacity (WMC), and the level of mastery of L2 grammar. Grammatical mastery was operationalized as the ability to produce and comprehend English passive voice with reference to explicit and implicit (or highly automatized) knowledge. Correlational analysis showed that PSTM was related to implicit productive knowledge while WMC was linked to explicit productive knowledge. However, regression analysis showed that those relationships were weak and mediated by overall mastery of target language grammar, operationalized as final grades in a grammar course.

The interaction of working memory capacity and engagement with recasts on different L2 outcome measures: A replication of Révész ()

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Javad Alipour ◽  
Maryam Mohebi ◽  
Ali Roohani
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Judgment Task ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
Grammaticality Judgment ◽  
Coding Method ◽  
Lower Effect ◽  
Description Task

Abstract We report on a conceptual replication of Révész (2012) in order to investigate the idea whether learners provided with recasts do engage in different kinds of behavioral engagement as a function of their working memory and if/how this engagement comes to bear on performance on different measures. Engagement with recasts was measured through a coding method categorizing responses to the recasts running the gamut from: (1) no opportunity, (2) opportunity, but did not repeat, (3) repeated the recasted form, (4) negotiated the response, to (5) used the recasted form later in the discourse. Consistent with Révész (2012), though with lower effect sizes, the results showed that recasts were most conducive to gains on an oral task and less so on a written description task, but non-effective on a grammaticality judgment task. Furthermore, it was revealed that learners with a high phonological short-term memory were more prone to recast-induced engagement on an oral production task, whereas those enjoying a higher reading span were considerably less so. We propose that learner engagement be deemed more important in future interaction research.

scholarly journals Individual differences in working memory capacity moderate effects of post-learning activity on memory consolidation over the long term

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Martini ◽  
Robert Marhenke ◽  
Caroline Martini ◽  
Sonja Rossi ◽  
Pierre Sachse
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Word List ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Experimental Session ◽  
Distractor Task ◽  
Memory Retention ◽  
Eyes Closed

Abstract Similar to sleeping after learning, a brief period of wakeful resting after encoding new information supports memory retention in contrast to task-related cognition. Recent evidence suggests that working memory capacity (WMC) is related to sleep-dependent declarative memory consolidation. We tested whether WMC moderates the effect of a brief period of wakeful resting compared to performing a distractor task subsequent to encoding a word list. Participants encoded and immediately recalled a word list followed by either an 8 min wakeful resting period (eyes closed, relaxed) or by performing an adapted version of the d2 test of attention for 8 min. At the end of the experimental session (after 12–24 min) and again, after 7 days, participants were required to complete a surprise free recall test of both word lists. Our results show that interindividual differences in WMC are a central moderating factor for the effect of post-learning activity on memory retention. The difference in word retention between a brief period of wakeful resting versus performing a selective attention task subsequent to encoding increased in higher WMC individuals over a retention interval of 12–24 min, as well as over 7 days. This effect was reversed in lower WMC individuals. Our results extend findings showing that WMC seems not only to moderate sleep-related but also wakeful resting-related memory consolidation.

Working Memory: Models and Applications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stoo Sepp ◽  
Steven J. Howard ◽  
Sharon Tindall-Ford ◽  
Shirley Agostinho ◽  
Fred Paas
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Auditory Information ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory

In 1956, Miller first reported on a capacity limitation in the amount of information the human brain can process, which was thought to be seven plus or minus two items. The system of memory used to process information for immediate use was coined “working memory” by Miller, Galanter, and Pribram in 1960. In 1968, Atkinson and Shiffrin proposed their multistore model of memory, which theorized that the memory system was separated into short-term memory, long-term memory, and the sensory register, the latter of which temporarily holds and forwards information from sensory inputs to short term-memory for processing. Baddeley and Hitch built upon the concept of multiple stores, leading to the development of the multicomponent model of working memory in 1974, which described two stores devoted to the processing of visuospatial and auditory information, both coordinated by a central executive system. Later, Cowan’s theorizing focused on attentional factors in the effortful and effortless activation and maintenance of information in working memory. In 1988, Cowan published his model—the scope and control of attention model. In contrast, since the early 2000s Engle has investigated working memory capacity through the lens of his individual differences model, which does not seek to quantify capacity in the same way as Miller or Cowan. Instead, this model describes working memory capacity as the interplay between primary memory (working memory), the control of attention, and secondary memory (long-term memory). This affords the opportunity to focus on individual differences in working memory capacity and extend theorizing beyond storage to the manipulation of complex information. These models and advancements have made significant contributions to understandings of learning and cognition, informing educational research and practice in particular. Emerging areas of inquiry include investigating use of gestures to support working memory processing, leveraging working memory measures as a means to target instructional strategies for individual learners, and working memory training. Given that working memory is still debated, and not yet fully understood, researchers continue to investigate its nature, its role in learning and development, and its implications for educational curricula, pedagogy, and practice.

Phonological short-term memory, working memory and foreign language performance in intensive language learning

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDIT KORMOS ◽  
ANNA SÁFÁR
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Digit Span Test ◽  
Span Test

In our research we addressed the question what the relationship is between phonological short-term and working memory capacity and performance in an end-of-year reading, writing, listening, speaking and use of English test. The participants of our study were 121 secondary school students aged 15–16 in the first intensive language training year of a bilingual education program in Hungary. The participants performed a non-word repetition test and took a Cambridge First Certificate Exam. Fifty students were also tested with a backward digit span test, measuring their working memory capacity. Our study indicates that phonological short-term memory capacity plays a different role in the case of beginners and pre-intermediate students in intensive language learning. The backward digit span test correlated very highly with the overall English language competence, as well as with reading, listening, speaking and use of English (vocabulary and grammar) test scores.

scholarly journals Frontoparietal connectivity correlates with working memory performance in multiple sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas ◽  
Claudia Cárcamo ◽  
Rodrigo Henríquez-Ch ◽  
Francisco Zamorano ◽  
Ethel Ciampi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Deficit ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Theta Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Oscillatory Dynamics ◽  
Phase Amplitude

AbstractWorking Memory (WM) impairment is the most common cognitive deficit of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. However, evidence of its neurobiological mechanisms is scarce. Here we recorded electroencephalographic activity of twenty patients with relapsing-remitting MS and minimal cognitive deficit, and 20 healthy control (HC) subjects while they solved a WM task. In spite of similar performance, the HC group demonstrated both a correlation between temporoparietal theta activity and memory load, and a correlation between medial frontal theta activity and successful memory performances. MS patients did not show theses correlations leading significant differences between groups. Moreover, cortical connectivity analyses using granger causality and phase-amplitude coupling between theta and gamma revealed that HC group, but not MS group, presented a load-modulated progression of the frontal-to-parietal connectivity. This connectivity correlated with working memory capacity in MS groups. This early alterations in the oscillatory dynamics underlaying working memory could be useful for plan therapeutic interventions

scholarly journals The development of retro-cue benefits with extensive practice: Implications for capacity estimation and attentional states in visual working memory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Zerr ◽  
Surya Gayet ◽  
Floris van den Esschert ◽  
Mitchel Kappen ◽  
Zoril Olah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Change Detection ◽  
Visual Working Memory ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Visual Short Term Memory ◽  
Memory Store ◽  
Visual Interference ◽  
Memory Resources

AbstractAccessing the contents of visual short-term memory (VSTM) is compromised by information bottlenecks and visual interference between memorization and recall. Retro-cues, displayed after the offset of a memory stimulus and prior to the onset of a probe stimulus, indicate the test item and improve performance in VSTM tasks. It has been proposed that retro-cues aid recall by transferring information from a high-capacity memory store into visual working memory (multiple-store hypothesis). Alternatively, retro-cues could aid recall by redistributing memory resources within the same (low-capacity) working memory store (single-store hypothesis). If retro-cues provide access to a memory store with a capacity exceeding the set size, then, given sufficient training in the use of the retro-cue, near-ceiling performance should be observed. To test this prediction, 10 observers each performed 12 hours across 8 sessions in a retro-cue change-detection task (40,000+ trials total). The results provided clear support for the single-store hypothesis: retro-cue benefits (difference between a condition with and without retro-cues) emerged after a few hundred trials and then remained constant throughout the testing sessions, consistently improving performance by two items, rather than reaching ceiling performance. Surprisingly, we also observed a general increase in performance throughout the experiment in conditions with and without retro-cues, calling into question the generalizability of change-detection tasks in assessing working memory capacity as a stable trait of an observer (data and materials are available at osf.io/9xr82 and github.com/paulzerr/retrocues). In summary, the present findings suggest that retro-cues increase capacity estimates by redistributing memory resources across memoranda within a low-capacity working memory store.

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