Working Memory Development from Early Childhood to Adolescence Using Two Nationally Representative Samples

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Working Memory Development from Early Childhood to Adolescence Using Two Nationally Representative Samples
Language: English
Authors: Ahmed, Sammy F. (ORCID 0000-0003-3814-2955), Ellis, Alexa, Ward, Kaitlin P. (ORCID 0000-0003-0780-2359), Chaku, Natasha (ORCID 0000-0003-0944-6159), Davis-Kean, Pamela E. (ORCID 0000-0001-8389-6268)
Source: Developmental Psychology. Oct 2022 58(10):1962-1973.
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: 12
Publication Date: 2022
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH)
Contract Number: 1749294
1519686
T32HD007109
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Short Term Memory, Longitudinal Studies, Children, Adolescents, Child Development, Gender Differences, Age Differences
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
DOI: 10.1037/dev0001396
ISSN: 0012-1649
1939-0599
Abstract: We leveraged nationally representative data from the Panel study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement (N = 3,562) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal study (N = 18,174), to chart the development of working memory, indexed via verbal forward and backward digit span task performance, from 3 to 19 years of age. Results revealed nonlinear growth patterns for forward and backward digit span tasks, with the most rapid growth occurring during childhood followed by a brief accelerated period of growth during early adolescence. We also found similar developmental trajectories on digit span task performance for males and females across the U.S. population. Together, this study highlights the relative importance of the childhood period for working memory development and provides researchers with a reference against which to compare the developmental changes of working memory in individual studies. From a practical perspective, clinicians and educators can also use this information to understand important periods of working memory growth using national developmental trends.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/szvmx
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1366531
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:We leveraged nationally representative data from the Panel study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement (N = 3,562) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal study (N = 18,174), to chart the development of working memory, indexed via verbal forward and backward digit span task performance, from 3 to 19 years of age. Results revealed nonlinear growth patterns for forward and backward digit span tasks, with the most rapid growth occurring during childhood followed by a brief accelerated period of growth during early adolescence. We also found similar developmental trajectories on digit span task performance for males and females across the U.S. population. Together, this study highlights the relative importance of the childhood period for working memory development and provides researchers with a reference against which to compare the developmental changes of working memory in individual studies. From a practical perspective, clinicians and educators can also use this information to understand important periods of working memory growth using national developmental trends.
ISSN:0012-1649
1939-0599
DOI:10.1037/dev0001396