Open AccessWorking memory and phonological processing as predictors of children’s mathematical problem solving at different ages
Author(s) -
H. Lee Swanson
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
memory and cognition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.324
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1532-5946
pISSN - 0090-502X
DOI - 10.3758/bf03195856
Subject(s) - working memory , psychology , cognitive psychology , reading (process) , short term memory , baddeley's model of working memory , executive functions , phonological awareness , developmental psychology , representation (politics) , cognition , linguistics , philosophy , neuroscience , politics , political science , law
The study explored the contribution of working memory (WM) to mathematical problem solving in younger (8-year-old) and older (11-year-old) children. The results showed that (1) significant age-related differences in WM performance were maintained when measures of phonological processing (i.e., digit naming speed, short-term memory, phonological deletion) were partialed from the analysis; (2) WM predicted solution accuracy of word problems independently of measures of problem representation, knowledge of operations and algorithms, phonological processing, fluid intelligence, reading, and math skill; and (3) a second-order WM factor was correlated with problem solving, suggesting that a general or executive system underlies age-related performance. The results were interpreted as support for the notion that the executive system was an important predictor of age-related changes in problem solving beyond the contribution of math and reading skills, and this system operates independently of the phonological system and domain-specific knowledge in predicting solution accuracy.