Competing tasks, working memory, and intelligence

Abstract

This paper reports findings from experiments which tested predictions from the theory that psychometric intelligence is largely determined by a limited capacity, or attentional, mechanism. Limited capacity effects were induced by load manipulations involving an increasing number of working memory placekeepers, post cueing. and competing task conditions. Some support for the theory was found using single tests but was not found for competing tasks, which should have produced greater attentional demand. These findings were replicated in a second study.