Lendinez Rodríguez, C. , Pelegrina López, S. , Lechuga García, M. T. . & Martín Puga, M. E.
University of Jaen
Our main aim was to investigate possible developmental differences in accessing information in WM using two different numerical updating memory tasks in which object switching was manipulated. These tasks were administered to children (8 and 11 year old), adolescents (14 year old) and younger adults (mean age=22 year). As expected, with a numerical comparison updating task, log-transformed response times decreased and recall performance increased as a function of age group. Most importantly, the time needed for object switching was longer in children than in younger adults. The second task was an updating counting task in which object switching and memory demand were manipulated. Results showed that switching cost was longer in the higher memory load condition. Moreover, previous results obtained with the comparison updating task were replicated, since switching cost decreased as a function of age group. Altogether, these results show age related trends in accessing information in WM. Their implications for understanding the development of WM in children are discussed.