Models of Working Memory

Working memory is a basic cognitive mechanism or set of mechanisms that is responsible for keeping track of multiple task related goals and subgoals, or integrating multiple sources of information. As such, it is essential for any complex cognitive task, such as planning an airplanes route or learning new computer software. Understanding the mechanisms and structures underlying working memory is, hence, one of the most important scientific issues that need to be addressed to improve the efficiency and performance of individuals on such cognitive tasks in a technological setting. A good understanding of working memory should lead to effective practical applications, such as the design of better computer interfaces, and novel techniques for training new personnel on complex information processing tasks. The goal of the symposium was to promote a better understanding of the architecture and mechanisms that underlie working memory as well as the practical implications of these important issues. The symposium was specifically dedicated to detailed systematic comparisons of existing models and theories of working memory. Thus, we included several features that would facilitate active communication and collaborative problem solving among participants during the symposium. Specifically, we used an issue based approach to theory comparison, in which each participant addressed a common set of important theoretical questions that have been guiding the current research in the field.