Abstract
In a recent study, Kreitz et al. (Psychological Research 79:1034-1041, 2015) reported on a relationship between verbal working memory capacity and visuo-spatial attentional breadth. The authors hinted at attentional control to be the major link underlying this relationship. We put forward an alternative explanation by framing it within the context of a recent theory on serial order in memory: verbal item sequences entering in working memory are coded by adding a spatial context that can be derived from reading/writing habits. The observation by Kreitz et al. (Psychological Research 79:1034-1041, 2015) enriches this framework by suggesting that a larger visuo-spatial attentional breadth allows for internal coding of the verbal items in a more (spatially) distinct manner-thereby increasing working memory performance. As such, Kreitz et al. (Psychological Research 79:1034-1041, 2015) is the first study revealing a functional link between visuo-spatial attentional breadth and verbal working memory size, which strengthens spatial accounts of serial order coding in working memory.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 690-695 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Psychological Research = Psychologische Forschung: An international journal of perception, learning and communication |
Volume | 81 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Attention
- Humans
- Memory, Short-Term
- Reading