working memory
Definition
Working memory refers to the capacity of holding and manipulating information, which is fundamental for goal-directed behavior. It is typically studied using tasks involving a delay or maintenance period in which information is transiently kept in mind in the absence of external stimulation, with manipulation operationalized as the modification of memory items in addition to their maintenance. Working memory is associated with significant modulations in oscillatory brain activity across multiple frequency ranges, including beta oscillations (15–40 Hz) that show functional relevance through changes in amplitude, duration, frequency, and rate in response to cognitive demands. The detection and interpretation of beta oscillations in working memory requires careful methodological control, as changes in the beta range can be artifactually produced by non-sinusoidal properties of lower frequency rhythms such as alpha and theta oscillations.
Sources: Rodriguez-Larios & Haegens (2023)
Related Terms
Applications
Working Memory and Cognitive Load
Cognitive load, operationalized as the number of items to be remembered, produces significant modulations in beta burst characteristics during working memory tasks. Specifically, the amplitude and duration of beta bursts decrease with memory load, while their peak frequency and rate increase, indicating that these oscillatory properties are functionally modulated by task difficulty.
Sources: Rodriguez-Larios & Haegens (2023)
Working Memory and Memory Manipulation
Memory manipulation, defined as the modification of memory items in addition to their maintenance, produces distinct changes in beta oscillatory activity. The amplitude and duration of beta bursts decrease during memory manipulation, alongside increases in peak frequency and rate, demonstrating the functional relevance of these oscillations to working memory processes.
Sources: Rodriguez-Larios & Haegens (2023)
