Models of Working Memory: Mechanisms of Active Maintenance and Executive Control - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521587212 ISBN 13: 9780521587211

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Working memory is currently a "hot" topic in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Because of their radically different scopes and emphases, however, comparing different models and theories and understanding how they relate to one another has been a difficult task. This work offers a much-needed forum for systematically comparing and contrasting existing models of working memory. It does so by asking each contributor to address the same comprehensive set of important theoretical questions on working memory. The answers to these questions elucidate the emerging general consensus on the nature of working memory among different theorists and clarify incompatible theoretical claims that must be resolved in future research. As such, this volume serves not only as a milestone that documents the state of the art in the field, but also as a theoretical guidebook that will promote new lines of research and more precise and comprehensive models of working memory.

About this title

Book Description

Working memory is a transient memory that plays an essential role in the performance of virtually all complex cognitive activities. Recently dubbed as "the hub of cognition," it is currently one of the hottest topics in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. This volume systematically compares existing models of working memory by asking each contributor to address the same set of important and controversial theoretical questions. The volume also provides a much needed synthesis of seemingly disparate models and outlines future research directions for the field.

Review

"Given the varied and disparate nature of working memory models, a volume that asks its contributors to provide a definition and address the same eight basic issues is not just welcome but long overdue." Contemporary Psychology

"[A] good summary of developments in working memory theory....For the reader wanting a review of current thinking...this volume is quite useful....[T]he editors...have provided an important service to experts in this field." American Journal of Psychology

"The organization that the editors implemented was very helpful in understanding and comparing theories....recommended for anyone who strives to remain current in the neurosciences." Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

"Hats off to the editors who assembled 10 diverse models in one volume, representing moves toward unified theories of cognition, a goal advocated by Newell (1990) and reinforced by many...The volume provides a vast amount of factual information to novices...[it] gives experts an opportunity to ponder significant issues that challenge them to develop new and better systems...the editors largely achieved their goals and have provided an important service to experts in the field." American Journal of Psychology

"The product for the most part is readable with the neural computational models probably being the most abstruse."

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0521587212
• ISBN 13: 9780521587211
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 528
• Editor: Miyake Akira, Shah Priti