Working memory and reading comprehension: Some basic questions

Abstract

In this paper, some of the main theoretical issues of the “working memory” construct and its role in cognition are reviewed. We focus on the research on reading comprehension abilities, in which working memory (WM) has been studied as a possible source of individual differences. Particularly, we will refer to three points of special interest: the existence of developmental differences in the WM and its influence on reading comprehension differences; the importance of the double-sided working memory function of processing and storage and its role in comprehension abilities; and finally, the issue of the specificity versus generality of WM involved in comprehension. As far as these matters are concerned, we have analyzed the empirical evidence available, making a special remark on the results obtained in our developmental studies, in which we use several comprehension and working memory measures.