The Development of Attention Systems and Working Memory in Infancy

Abstract

In this article, we review research and theory on the development of attention and working memory in infancy using a developmental cognitive neuroscience framework. We begin with a review of studies examining the influence of attention on neural and behavioral correlates of an earlier developing and closely related form of memory (i.e., recognition memory). Findings from studies measuring attention utilizing looking measures, heart rate, and event-related potentials (ERPs) indicate significant developmental change in sustained and selective attention across the infancy period. For example, infants show gains in the magnitude of the attention related response and spend a greater proportion of time engaged in attention with increasing age (Richards and Turner, 2001). Throughout infancy, attention has a significant impact on infant performance on a variety of tasks tapping into recognition memory; however, this approach to examining the influence of infant attention on memory performance has yet to be utilized in research on working memory. In the second half of the article, we review research on working memory in infancy focusing on studies that provide insight into the developmental timing of significant gains in working memory as well as research and theory related to neural systems potentially involved in working memory in early development. We also examine issues related to measuring and distinguishing between working memory and recognition memory in infancy. To conclude, we discuss relations between the development of attention systems and working memory.

Keywords: event-related potentials; heart rate; infancy; recognition memory; visual attention; working memory.

Figure 1

Mean peak look durations for faces, geometric patterns, and Sesame Street as a function of age (figure adapted from Courage et al., 2006). Arrows indicate exact test age.

Figure 2

Event-related potential (ERP) waveforms and electrode locations for the Nc and late slow wave (LSW) ERP components. The ERP waveforms are shown to the right. Change in amplitude of the ERP from baseline values is represented on the Y-axis, and time following stimulus onset is represented on the X-axis. The electrode locations for each of the waveforms are shown to the left in boxes on the layout of the EGI 128-channel sensor net (figure adapted from Reynolds et al., 2011).

Figure 3

Common equivalent current dipoles activated across recognition memory tasks. Age groups are divided into separate columns. The best fitting areas in common between the ERP and visual paired comparison (VPC) tasks are indicated using the color scale. The majority of best fitting areas were located in inferior prefrontal regions (figure adapted from Reynolds et al., 2010).