Memoria de trabajo viso-espacial y aptitud de visualización

Abstract

In the last decade, working memory has been causally linked to higher intellectual abilities, with special emphasis on the role of central executive processes. The goal of the present study has been to investigate the relation between the visuo-spatial sketch-pad of working memory (Baddeley, 1986; Baddeley & Logie, 1999; Logie, 1995) and the Visualization (Vz) psychometric factor. We report two studies exploring a working memory paradigm designed to tap mechanisms of the visuo-spatial sketch-pad, as different from the phonological loop and central executive functioning. In Experiment 1, short term retention of a random polygon was affected by a visuo-spatial interference, but not by a verbal one. In Experiment 2 a double dissociation pattern was found: a verbal interference effect on a verbal memory task, and a visuo-spatial interference effect on a visuo-spatial task. Experiment 3 showed that visuo-spatial temporary retention mechanisms were significantly associated with performance in Vz tests.