Contrasting single and multi-component working-memory systems in dual tasking.
Working memory can be a major source of interference in dual tasking. However, there is no consensus on whether this interference is the result of a single working memory bottleneck, or of interactions between different working memory components that together form a complete working-memory system. We report a behavioral and an fMRI dataset in which working memory requirements are manipulated during multitasking. We show that a computational cognitive model that assumes a distributed version of working memory accounts for both behavioral and neuroimaging data better than a model that takes a more centralized approach. The model's working memory consists of an attentional focus, declarative memory, and a subvocalized rehearsal mechanism. Thus, the data and model favor an account where working memory interference in dual tasking is the result of interactions between different resources that together form a working-memory system.
['Nijboer|Menno|M|', 'Borst|Jelmer|J|', 'van Rijn|Hedderik|H|', 'Taatgen|Niels|N|']
D000328:Adult D001288:Attention D003071:Cognition D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging D008297:Male D008570:Memory, Short-Term D008960:Models, Psychological D009483:Neuropsychological Tests D011597:Psychomotor Performance D055815:Young Adult
Working memory Interference Multitasking Cognitive modeling ACT-R Threaded cognition