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Ericsson, K. A., & Kintsch, W. (1995). Long-term working memory. <u>Psychological Review, 102,</u> 211-245.
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Author of the summary: David Zach Hambrick, 1998,
gt8781a@prism.gatech.edu
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The sine qua non of skilled cognitive performance is the ability to access large amounts of domain specific information. For example, it is estimated that chess masters have access to as many as 100,000 familiar configurations of chess pieces (Chase & Simon, 1973). As another example, in order to make sense of what he or she is reading, a reader must have access to information gained from previously read text. This is particularly true when reading complex technical material filled with jargon. </p>
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<p>Working memory (WM) refers to the simultaneous and temporary storage and processing of information. This definition dictates that the activation of extant knowledge brought to bear on ongoing performance is temporary. For example, the activation of contextual information, gained through previously read text and used to make sense of what is being currently read, is only temporary. Ericsson and Kintsch challenge this view by focusing on two questions: 1) "Can mechanisms that account for subjects� limited working memory capacity in laboratory tasks [i.e., temporary activation] also account for the greatly expanded working memory capacity of experts and skilled performers?" and 2) "How can working memory based on temporary storage account for the fact that skilled activities can be interrupted and later resumed without major effects on performance" (p. 211)? The aim in addressing these questions is to show that skilled performers can expand STM capacity through reliance on domain-specific knowledge and control processes that allow for rapid encoding and retrieval of information in LTM.</p>
