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Review
. 2024 Nov;28(11):1023-1036.
doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.06.006. Epub 2024 Jul 16.

Is working memory domain-general or domain-specific?

Nazbanou Nozari  1 , Randi C Martin  2
Affiliations
Review

Is working memory domain-general or domain-specific?

Nazbanou Nozari et al. Trends Cogn Sci. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Given the fundamental role of working memory (WM) in all domains of cognition, a central question has been whether WM is domain-general. However, the term 'domain-general' has been used in different, and sometimes misleading, ways. By reviewing recent evidence and biologically plausible models of WM, we show that the level of domain-generality varies substantially between three facets of WM: in terms of computations, WM is largely domain-general. In terms of neural correlates, it contains both domain-general and domain-specific elements. Finally, in terms of application, it is mostly domain-specific. This variance encourages a shift of focus towards uncovering domain-general computational principles and away from domain-general approaches to the analysis of individual differences and WM training, favoring newer perspectives, such as training-as-skill-learning.

Keywords: brain training; domain-generality; neural correlates; resource models; working memory.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests No interests are declared.

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