Abstract:

Differentiated working memory capacity along two dimensions: contents and functions. The resulting 3 * 3 matrix was operationalized by 23 tasks sampled from the literature. Data for these tasks from 128 participants (aged 18-46 years) were analyzed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Regarding the content facet, spatial working memory was clearly distinct from the verbal and numerical working memory. A distinction between verbal and numerical working memory was not supported by the data. Within the functional dimension, the postulated categories of simultaneous storage and transformation and of coordination could not be separated. Intelligence structure research widely accepts the view that intellectual abilities can be structured hierarchically. The positive intercorrelation of the working memory tasks used in this study strongly supports the construct validity of working memory as one general cognitive resource. However, the structural equation models demonstrate that distinctions on the functional and content dimensions are appropriate.