Working Memory Capacity

This groundbreaking book explains Cowan's theoretical proposal about working memory capacity, and compares it to competing perspectives. The book assesses memory hypotheses and examines explanations of why capacity limits occur, and concludes with a discussion of the practical importance of capacity limits in daily life.

Nelson Cowan is Professor of Psychology at the University of Missouri. His research specializations include short-term or working memory, childhood development of short-term and working memory, and the relationship between working memory and selective attention. Nelson is the Director of the Working-Memory Laboratory and co-editor of The Development of Memory in Infancy and Childhood.

Preface. The Problem of Capacity Limits. The Processing System as a Context to Examine Capacity. Refinement of the Concept of Working Memory Capacity. Capacity Limits and the Measurement of Chunking. Further Evidence of a Constant Capacity. Other Views of Capacity Limits. Why the Capacity Limit?.