Pushing boundary of visual memory reveals limits of IQ tests

0atwong • 16th Feb 2008 • Conversation Pieces

Pushing boundary of visual memory reveals limits of IQ tests
Most of the problem-solving we do in order to get through a day involves the use of whats referred to as “working memory.” It acts a bit like RAM; we store information we need for the task at hand temporarily, but dont necessarily commit it to permanent memory. A recent study has probed the qualities of visual working memory and has come to the conclusion that we have a finite and well-defined capacity for visual items, a finding that may have far-reaching implications for one simple reason: that capacity may be whats stressed by IQ tests.