New rule use drives the relation between working memory capacity and Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices

J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 2011 Jan;37(1):256-63. doi: 10.1037/a0021613.

Abstract

The correlation between individual differences in working memory capacity and performance on the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) is well documented yet poorly understood. The present work proposes a new explanation: that the need to use a new combination of rules on RAPM problems drives the relation between performance and working memory capacity scores. Evidence for this account is supported by an item-based analysis of performance during standard administration of the RAPM and an experiment that manipulates the need to use new rule combinations across 2 subsets of RAPM items. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Statistics as Topic*
  • Students
  • Universities