Question

recent research conducted by cowan (2010) has found that the capacity of working memory is how many units of information?

Answer 1

The capacity of working memory is approximately 4 plus or minus 1 units of information, according to recent research conducted by Cowan in 2010.

Step-by-step explanation:

The recent research conducted by Cowan (2010) has found that the capacity of working memory is approximately 4 plus or minus 1 units of information.

In 1956, George Miller reviewed the research on the capacity of short-term memory and found that people can retain between 5 and 9 items, so he reported the capacity of short-term memory was the "magic number" 7 plus or minus 2.

Therefore, contemporary research suggests that the capacity of working memory is slightly lower than the capacity of short-term memory.

Answer 2

The capacity of working memory, as per Cowan's 2010 research, is approximately 4 plus or minus 1 unit of information. This reflects a shift from Miller's earlier 'magic number' of 7 plus or minus 2, highlighting the evolving understanding of short-term memory limitations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Recent research by Cowan in 2010 has indicated that the capacity of working memory is generally around 4 plus or minus 1 unit of information. This conclusion updates the older finding by Miller in 1956, which suggested a larger capacity of 7 plus or minus 2 items. Cowan's findings align with more contemporary research, suggesting that the capacity for retaining information in the short-term memory is limited.

It is important to note that this capacity can vary depending on the type of information being processed. For example, recall tends to be slightly better for random numbers compared to random letters, and memory for information we hear (acoustic encoding) can be somewhat stronger than for information we see (visual encoding).

The concept of working memory is crucial in understanding how memory operates in practical situations. It includes the processing and temporary storage of information, allowing us to perform cognitive tasks. The work of Baddeley and Hitch elaborated on this by proposing a model which includes the phonological loop for verbal information, the visuospatial sketchpad for visual information, and the episodic buffer for integrating information, all regulated by a central executive that manages cognitive processes.