Working memory

Abstract

Working memory refers to the system or systems that are assumed to be necessary in order to keep things in mind while performing complex tasks such as reasoning, comprehension and learning. Over the last 30 years, the concept of working memory has been increasingly widely used, extending from its origin in cognitive psychology to many areas of cognitive science and neuroscience, and been applied within areas ranging from education, through psychiatry to paleoanthropology. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.