Working memory is the ability to process while holding information
Working memory (Gwm) is the ability to hold information temporarily while using that information to think. It is used when keeping spoken content, intermediate numbers, or recent context in mind while reordering, comparing, or judging.
It appears in situations such as these.
- Hearing several spoken instructions and acting while considering the order
- Keeping an intermediate result in mind while continuing mental calculation
- Listening to a conversation while preparing a response
- Holding a condition from one sentence while understanding the next
How it differs from short-term memory
The difference between short-term memory and working memory is whether the information is only held as it is, or whether it is also processed.
| Term | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term memory | Holding information as it is for a short time | Repeating heard numbers in the same order |
| Working memory | Holding information while processing it | Saying heard numbers in reverse order |
Keeping a heard phone number in mind as it is uses short-term memory. Holding spoken instructions while rearranging priorities places more load on working memory.
The difference from short-term memory is covered in short-term memory vs working memory.
In daily life, it appears when holding and processing overlap
When working memory is high, situations that require holding several pieces of information while judging tend to be more stable.
- Several conditions can be held at the same time while making a decision
- Spoken instructions and conversational flow are easier to maintain
- Intermediate results can be processed mentally while continuing the task
When it is lower, earlier information may drop out during an explanation, or the order may become unstable when several requests arrive at once. The content itself may be understood, but the step of processing while holding information can create load.
Even when Gf or Gc is high, load in working memory can appear as "I understand the idea, but lose conditions along the way" or "it is heavy to keep the conversation flow while forming a response."
Externalize rather than trying to expand capacity
It is usually more practical to reduce the amount of information held in the head than to try to greatly expand working-memory capacity itself. Brain training can make a person more familiar with specific tasks, but it does not necessarily transfer broadly to everyday life.
The main response is to externalize information, split processing, and change the input route.
- Leave spoken instructions in written form
- Divide procedures into shorter steps
- Put intermediate results into notes or checklists
- Avoid judging and recording at the same time
- Handle multiple tasks one at a time
Supporting working memory is not about trying harder to remember. It is about moving held information outside the head and reducing the amount of simultaneous processing.
How low working memory appears and how to respond to it is covered in features of low working memory.
Gwm in BrainTypeIQ
BrainTypeIQ is an online IQ test with 9 tasks that shows overall IQ and differences across the cognitive profile. Gwm is read through the Computation Span and Visual Reversal tasks.
- Computation Span task: looks at the ability to hold numbers while calculating
- Visual Reversal task: looks at the ability to hold a seen order and reproduce it in reverse
It is not a substitute for a diagnostic assessment, but it can be an entry point for reading the balance of working memory, processing speed, verbal comprehension, and reasoning.