6.2 Capacity and Limitations

Working memory capacity limits our ability to hold and manipulate information. Miller's Magic Number of 7±2 items has been revised to 3-5 chunks, highlighting the brain's processing constraints. This bottleneck affects decision-making, problem-solving, and multitasking.

Strategies like rehearsal and elaboration help overcome these limitations. Factors like age, expertise, and individual differences influence capacity. Chunking groups information into meaningful units, extending memory capacity. Working memory correlates with cognitive abilities and predicts academic performance.

Working Memory Capacity

Limitations of working memory

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• Working memory capacity constrained by Miller's Magic Number 7 ± 2 items limits short-term information retention
• Modern estimates suggest even lower capacity of 3-5 chunks of information challenges previous assumptions
• Bottleneck in information processing restricts simultaneous cognitive operations (multitasking)
• Affects complex decision-making and problem-solving by limiting available information
• Cognitive load theory explains memory constraints:
  1. Intrinsic load stems from task complexity
  2. Extraneous load arises from poor instructional design
  3. Germane load contributes to learning and schema formation
• Strategies to overcome limitations:
  • Rehearsal involves repeating information to maintain it in working memory (phone numbers)
  • Elaboration connects new information to existing knowledge enhances retention (relating new vocabulary to known words)

Factors affecting memory capacity

• Age-related changes impact working memory:
  • Childhood sees developmental improvements in capacity and processing speed
  • Older adulthood experiences gradual decline in working memory function
• Expertise effects enhance domain-specific memory capacity:
  • Chess masters recall complex board positions
  • Musicians remember longer musical sequences
• Automaticity reduces cognitive load freeing up resources for other tasks
• Individual differences influence working memory capacity:
  • Genetic factors contribute to baseline capacity
  • Neural efficiency varies among individuals
  • Attention control abilities affect information management
• Environmental factors modulate working memory performance:
  • Stress and anxiety can impair capacity and function
  • Sleep quality and quantity impact memory consolidation and recall
  • Nutrition and physical exercise support cognitive function (omega-3 fatty acids, aerobic activity)

Chunking for memory extension

• Chunking groups individual pieces of information into larger meaningful units
• Pattern recognition and meaningful associations facilitate effective chunking
• Increases amount of information held in working memory (phone numbers: 123-456-7890)
• Improves recall and processing efficiency by organizing information
• Everyday examples of chunking:
  • Remembering phone numbers as area code, prefix, and line number
  • Grouping grocery list items by category (produce, dairy, meats)
• Chunking techniques enhance memory:
  • Acronyms and mnemonics create memorable units (ROY G BIV for rainbow colors)
  • Hierarchical organization of information structures complex data (taxonomy of animal kingdom)

Memory capacity vs cognitive performance

• Working memory capacity correlates with various cognitive abilities:
  • Fluid intelligence for novel problem-solving
  • Reading comprehension for text processing
  • Mathematical problem-solving for mental calculations
• Predicts academic performance across domains:
  • Standardized test scores (SAT, GRE)
  • Learning new skills (programming languages, musical instruments)
• Impacts executive functions crucial for complex cognition:
  • Task switching between different activities
  • Inhibition of irrelevant information to maintain focus
  • Updating mental representations with new data
• Strategies to optimize performance on complex tasks:
  • Breaking tasks into smaller components reduces cognitive load
  • Using external memory aids offloads information (note-taking, digital reminders)
  • Minimizing distractions and interruptions preserves working memory resources
• Working memory training programs:
  • Dual n-back tasks show promise for improving capacity
  • Debate ongoing about transfer effects to other cognitive domains