Thursday, May 31, 2007

Processing speed (Gs) and working memory (Gsm-MW) - more support for developmental cascade hypothesis


For a number of years I've been intrigued by the empirical research that has investigated the "developmental cascade" model. This model hypothesizes that developmental increases in processing speed (Gs) results in increases in working memory abilities (Gsm-MW), which in turn has a large and direct effect on fluid reasoning (Gf) and possibly general intelligence (g).

The first I read of the developmental cascade hypothesis was a 1996 article by Fry and Hale in Psychological Science. Subsequently, I provided an overview of this research literature in my chapter in the 2005 Flanagan and Harrison Contemporary Intellectual Assessment book.My overview also included the presentation of causal models I ran that provided, IMHO, strong support for this theoretical conceptualization of cognitive growth.

A new study by Kail directly investigates Fry and Hale's developmental cascade hypotheses with a longitudinal study design. Kail's research continues to support this model and can be viewed by clicking here.

Regular readers of this blog know that I've been very interested in research regarding the role of working memory in academic and cognitive performance. Click here to view all posts to date that have dealt with working memory, cognitive load, etc.

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