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ERIC Number: EJ1212465
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-May
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Can Children Prioritize More Valuable Information in Working Memory? An Exploration into the Effects of Motivation and Memory Load
Atkinson, Amy L.; Waterman, Amanda H.; Allen, Richard J.
Developmental Psychology, v55 n5 p967-980 May 2019
Recent research found no evidence that children aged 7-10 years are able to direct their attention to more valuable information in working memory. The current experiments examined whether children demonstrate this ability when the reward system used to motivate participants is engaging and age-appropriate. This was explored across different memory loads (3- vs. 4-item arrays) and modes of presentation (sequential vs. simultaneous). Younger (7-8 years) and older children (9-10 years) were shown 3 or 4 colored shapes and asked to recall the color of one probed item following a brief delay. Items were either presented sequentially (Experiment 1) or simultaneously (Experiment 2). Children completed a differential probe value condition, in which the first shape (Experiment 1) or the top-left shape (Experiment 2) was worth more points than the other items, and an equal probe value condition, in which all shapes were equally valuable. Children were told they could use the points collected to play a specially designed game at the end of the session, and that they would be given a prize if they collected enough points. When items were presented sequentially, significant probe value effects emerged, with children showing higher accuracy for the first item when this serial position was more valuable. This effect was consistent across age group and memory load. When items were encountered simultaneously, both groups showed probe value effects in the higher (4-item) memory load condition. This indicates that children can prioritize more valuable information in working memory when sufficiently motivated to do so.
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A