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Linking the Dynamics of Cognitive Control to Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity: Evidence from Reaching Behavior

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Title: Linking the Dynamics of Cognitive Control to Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity: Evidence from Reaching Behavior
Language: English
Authors: Erb, Christopher D. (ORCID 0000-0002-1649-2324), Welhaf, Matthew S. (ORCID 0000-0002-2826-5268), Smeekens, Bridget A., Moreau, David (ORCID 0000-0002-1957-1941), Kane, Michael J., Marcovitch, Stuart
Source: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. Sep 2021 47(9):1383-1402.
Availability: 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
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Individual Differences, Undergraduate Students, Cognitive Processes, Task Analysis, Reaction Time, Motor Reactions, Short Term Memory, Correlation, Scores, Biochemistry, Executive Function, Inhibition
DOI: 10.1037/xlm0001018
ISSN: 0278-7393
Abstract: We used a technique known as reach tracking to investigate how individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) relate to the functioning of two processes proposed to underlie cognitive control: a threshold adjustment process that temporarily inhibits motor output in response to signals of conflict and a controlled selection process that recruits top-down control to guide stimulus-response translation. Undergraduates (N = 135) performed two WMC tasks (updating counters and symmetry span) and a reach-tracking version of the Eriksen flanker task. Consistent with previous research using button-press flanker tasks, WMC significantly correlated with response time (RT) performance, with higher WMC scores corresponding to smaller congruency effects. Given that RTs reflect the combined functioning of multiple processes underlying cognitive control, we interpreted this effect to reflect a general link between WMC and both the threshold adjustment process and controlled selection process. We also found a significant association between WMC and participants' reach trajectories, with higher WMC scores corresponding to more direct reach movements on incongruent trials involving stimulus-response overlap with the preceding trial. We interpreted this effect to reflect a more specific link between WMC and the functioning of the controlled selection process. We discuss the observed links between WMC and cognitive control in relation to the unity and diversity of executive functions framework and in relation to the role of prefrontal and striatal dopamine in supporting adaptive cognitive control.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/6hz3a
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1318792
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Linking the Dynamics of Cognitive Control to Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity: Evidence from Reaching Behavior
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Erb%2C+Christopher+D%2E%22">Erb, Christopher D.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1649-2324">0000-0002-1649-2324</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Welhaf%2C+Matthew+S%2E%22">Welhaf, Matthew S.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2826-5268">0000-0002-2826-5268</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Smeekens%2C+Bridget+A%2E%22">Smeekens, Bridget A.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Moreau%2C+David%22">Moreau, David</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1957-1941">0000-0002-1957-1941</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kane%2C+Michael+J%2E%22">Kane, Michael J.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marcovitch%2C+Stuart%22">Marcovitch, Stuart</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Experimental+Psychology%3A+Learning%2C+Memory%2C+and+Cognition%22"><i>Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition</i></searchLink>. Sep 2021 47(9):1383-1402.
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  Data: 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
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individual+Differences%22">Individual Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Processes%22">Cognitive Processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Task+Analysis%22">Task Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reaction+Time%22">Reaction Time</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Motor+Reactions%22">Motor Reactions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Short+Term+Memory%22">Short Term Memory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correlation%22">Correlation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biochemistry%22">Biochemistry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Executive+Function%22">Executive Function</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inhibition%22">Inhibition</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1037/xlm0001018
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 0278-7393
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: We used a technique known as reach tracking to investigate how individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) relate to the functioning of two processes proposed to underlie cognitive control: a threshold adjustment process that temporarily inhibits motor output in response to signals of conflict and a controlled selection process that recruits top-down control to guide stimulus-response translation. Undergraduates (N = 135) performed two WMC tasks (updating counters and symmetry span) and a reach-tracking version of the Eriksen flanker task. Consistent with previous research using button-press flanker tasks, WMC significantly correlated with response time (RT) performance, with higher WMC scores corresponding to smaller congruency effects. Given that RTs reflect the combined functioning of multiple processes underlying cognitive control, we interpreted this effect to reflect a general link between WMC and both the threshold adjustment process and controlled selection process. We also found a significant association between WMC and participants' reach trajectories, with higher WMC scores corresponding to more direct reach movements on incongruent trials involving stimulus-response overlap with the preceding trial. We interpreted this effect to reflect a more specific link between WMC and the functioning of the controlled selection process. We discuss the observed links between WMC and cognitive control in relation to the unity and diversity of executive functions framework and in relation to the role of prefrontal and striatal dopamine in supporting adaptive cognitive control.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
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  Data: https://osf.io/6hz3a
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  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 2021
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  Label: Accession Number
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  Data: EJ1318792
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1318792
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        Value: 10.1037/xlm0001018
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive Processes
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