Developmental Trajectories of Verbal, Static Visual-Spatial, and Dynamic Visual-Spatial Working Memory

Working memory (WM) measures are routinely integrated into comprehensive diagnostic evaluations. However, there is little research regarding the underlying components of WM and their developmental trajectories. The current study examined the developmental trajectories of distinct WM components in a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:California school psychologist 2018-12, Vol.22 (4), p.458-467
Main Authors: Roberts, Kristin L., Englund Strait, Julia A., Decker, Scott L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Adolescents
Adults
Age
Age Differences
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Child and School Psychology
Child development
Children
Children & youth
Cognitive Development
Cognitive Processes
Developmental Delays
Disproportionate Representation
Early Adolescents
Educational Psychology
Information storage
Language Impairments
Learning disabilities
Long Term Memory
Memory
Meta Analysis
Phonology
Psychology
Psychometrics
Reading Comprehension
Retention (Psychology)
Schizophrenia
Short Term Memory
Spatial Ability
Studies
Verbal Ability
Visual Perception
Young Adults
Young Children
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Summary:Working memory (WM) measures are routinely integrated into comprehensive diagnostic evaluations. However, there is little research regarding the underlying components of WM and their developmental trajectories. The current study examined the developmental trajectories of distinct WM components in a sample of 303 individuals ages 6 through 25 years. Consistent with previous research, results indicated an overall linear trajectory from childhood to adolescence; however, trajectories differed across specific content domains. Verbal working memory scores continued to increase linearly through at least early adulthood, and static visual-spatial working memory tapered off in late adolescence or early adulthood. In addition, dynamic visual-spatial working memory showed a slight decline in mid-adolescence before increasing again in early adulthood. The current findings regarding different trajectories for static vs. dynamic visual-spatial working memory provide suggestive evidence for expanding WM conceptualizations and assessments beyond verbal and visual tests. Applications of expanded WM assessments, including separate static and dynamic visual-spatial working memory measures in the comprehensive assessment, are discussed.
ISSN:2159-2020
2161-1505
DOI:10.1007/s40688-018-0176-z