Greater working memory capacity benefits analytic, but not creative, problem-solving
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 - 13:00
in Psychology & Sociology
Psychological scientists have long known that the amount of information we can actively hold in mind at any given time – known as working memory – is limited. Our working memory capacity reflects our ability to focus and control attention and strongly influences our ability to solve problems. Psychological scientists find that while increased working memory capacity seems to boost mathematical problem-solving, it might actually get in the way of creative problem solving.