Activation, attention, and short-term memory - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Activation, attention, and short-term memory

N Cowan. Mem Cognit. 1993 Mar.

Abstract

The premise of this paper is that the popular term "short-term memory" (STM) is vague because it is used to refer to either (1) the set of representations from long-term memory currently in a state of heightened activation or (2) the focus of attention or content of awareness. A more coherent conception of STM is hierarchical, with the focus of attention depicted as a subset of the activated portion of long-term memory. Research issues are discussed to illustrate that this simple conception of STM leads to testable predictions and useful lines of inquiry.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 1986 Jul;12(3):419-25 -PubMed
    1. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1990 Aug;16(3):574-83 -PubMed
    1. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 1990 Mar;16(2):258-69 -PubMed
    1. Mem Cognit. 1977 Sep;5(5):529-34 -PubMed
    1. J Exp Psychol. 1964 Jul;68:28-36 -PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms