Do measures of working memory predict academic proficiency better than measures of intelligence?

Kerry LEE, Madeline Lee PE, Su Yin ANG, Lazar STANKOV

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

Abstract

It is often asserted that working memory predicts more variance in academic proficiency than do measures of intelligence. We used data from three studies to show that the validity of this assertion is highly dependent on the method of analysis. Using the same measures of intelligence, but different measures of working memory and algebraic proficiency, we found working memory provided better explanatory power only when analysis was conducted on the observed variable level. When the same data were analysed using structural equation models, only measures of intelligence had a direct effect on algebraic proficiency. From a theoretical viewpoint, our findings are consistent with a claim that working memory is a constituent component of (fluid) intelligence. Copyright © 2009 Pabst Science Publishers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)403-419
JournalPsychology Science Quarterly
Volume51
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Citation

Lee, K., Pe, M. L., Ang, S. Y., & Stankov, L. (2009). Do measures of working memory predict academic proficiency better than measures of intelligence? Psychology Science Quarterly, 51(4), 403-419.

Keywords

  • Short term memory
  • Intelligence measures
  • Quantitative methods
  • Statistical regression

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Do measures of working memory predict academic proficiency better than measures of intelligence?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.