Pasternak N.A. The ability to act “in the mind” and working memory: what factors influence the success of learning
Nina A. Pasternak, Ph.D (Psychology), Associate Professor, RANEPA School of Anthropology of the Future, Moscow, Russia; bld. 82, Vernadsky ave., Moscow, Russia, 119571; A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; bld. 20–1, Delegatskaya st., Moscow, Russia, 127473; nina.pasternak@yandex.ru
The study examines the relationship between the level of development of the ability to act “in the mind” among high school students and their success of their tasks on the amount of working memory, which is determined using the n–back test. It is shown that the low level of development of the ability to act “in the mind” limits the possibilities of successful execution of the working memory test in one or two attempts: high test values in the experiment are demonstrated only by subjects with an average and high level of development of the ability to act “in the mind”. It is revealed that the average values for the success of the first task on the amount of working memory and the dynamics of the success of the test from the first to the second attempt are significantly higher in subjects with an average and high level of development of the ability to act “in the mind” compared with a group of subjects with a low level of development of this ability. It is demonstrated that the limitations of the amount of working memory are the reason learning difficulties. The question is raised that the experience of overcoming educational difficulties can become an adaptation to uncertainty in economic and social life, serve as a stimulating factor for the process of self-improvement. Recommendations are given for psychological support in case of educational difficulties. It is assumed that with a low level of development of the ability to act “in the mind”, working memory has limitations in the number of information elements that need to be kept in mind at the same time. Limitations of the amount of working memory associated with the inability to retain information internally lead to difficulties in mastering learning skills and learning.
Key words: ability to act “in the mind”, working memory, learning experience, preadaptation to uncertainty
For citation: Pasternak, N.A. (2023). The ability to act “in the mind” and working memory: what factors influence the success of learning. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 26–38. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2023_03_02_02
Keywords: ability to act “in the mind” working memory learning experience preadaptation to uncertainty
Received: 08th july 2023
Published: 08th july 2023