The information exchange between working memory and long-term memory.

Abstract

A fundamental question in memory research has long been the interplay between briefly maintaining information in working memory (WM) and its enduring retention in long-term memory (LTM). Much of the research has explored how WM processes influence the formation of LTM and, in turn, how stored LTM can either support or disrupt WM performance. This Special Issue of Memory & Cognition brings together cutting-edge research that delves into this relationship, showcasing studies that reveal the latest advances in the field. Additionally, it includes articles offering conceptual and theoretical insights to better understand the dynamic interaction between WM and LTM. The 25 articles presented here emphasize the ways in which information is transferred from WM to more durable representations in LTM, as well as how WM flexibly draws on LTM to overcome its limited capacity. In many ways, the quality and quantity of contributions to this Special Issue highlight the importance of jointly studying WM and LTM, inspiring future work to challenge pre-existing conceptions and stimulate new directions in the field of memory.