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First published online March 2, 2010

The Magical Mystery Four: How Is Working Memory Capacity Limited, and Why?

Nelson Cowan [email protected]View all authors and affiliations

Volume 19, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721409359277

Abstract

Working memory storage capacity is important because cognitive tasks can be completed only with sufficient ability to hold information as it is processed. The ability to repeat information depends on task demands but can be distinguished from a more constant, underlying mechanism: a central memory store limited to 3 to 5 meaningful items for young adults. I discuss why this central limit is important, how it can be observed, how it differs among individuals, and why it may exist.

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References

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Published In

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Volume 19, Issue 1

Pages: 51 - 57

Article first published online: March 2, 2010

Issue published: February 2010

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© The Author(s) 2010.

PubMed: 20445769

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Nelson Cowan

University of Missouri

[email protected]

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Notes

Nelson Cowan, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, 18 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO 65211 E-mail: [email protected]

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