Short Term/Working Memory: Second Quebec Conference on Short-Term/Working: A Special Issue of Memory

Recent years have seen vigorous debate and substantial theoretical progress in the psychology of short-term and working memory. In particular, many new and competing theoretical models have been developed. This high level of activity in a field central to many areas of psychology led to the Second Quebec Conference on Short-Term/Working Memory, held in Quebec City, Canada, in July 2002. This special issue, which provides a current overview of research on short-term/working memory, had its origins in this conference. Participants were invited to submit contributions based on their presentations and, from the many excellent submissions, the editors selected a limited number for publication. One strength of the current volume is the impressive diversity of approaches to the study of how people remember over the short term. Many of the papers are clearly focused on memory for verbal information, with a particular emphasis on ordered recall. Several formal models of memory for order are developed, and many others are tested and evaluated. Many papers adopt the working memory approach of Baddeley and his colleagues, whereas others present challenges to that view and examine alternative, models. Some papers examine the relationship between memory and other cognitive tasks, including timing ability, foreign language learning, speed of processing, and complex span. Memory in a variety of different populations is examined, including memory of both children and older adults, as well as patients with amnesia and representational neglect. The collection provides an up-to-date snap shot of empirical and theoretical work on short-term and working memory.