Literacy: Exploring working memory systems

Abstract

Previous research showed an important association between reading and writing skills (literacy) and the phonological loop. However, the effects of literacy on other working memory components remain unclear. In this study, we investigated performance of illiterate subjects and their matched literate controls on verbal and nonverbal working memory tasks. Results revealed that the phonological loop is significantly influenced by literacy, while the visuospatial sketchpad appears to be less affected or not at all. Results also suggest that the central executive might be influenced by literacy, possibly as an expression of cognitive reserve.

Keywords:

• Literacy
• Illiteracy
• Reading skills
• Writing skills
• Working memory
• Phonological loop
• Visuospatial sketchpad
• Central executive

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Stockholm Brain Institute, Svenska Dyslexistiftelsen, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT/POCTI/41669/PSI/2001; IBB/CBME, LA, FEDER/POCI 2010), Vetenskapsrådet, Hedlunds Stiftelse, and Stockholm County Council (ALF, FoUU).