The Development Of Mental Processing: Efficiency, Working Memory, And Thinking

This Monograph formulates a comprehensive theoretical system that integrates information processing, individual differences, and developmental approaches to the study of the mind. Supporting this system is a longitudinal study that explores relations among information processing efficiency, working memory, and thinking of children 8 to 16 years of age. Results demonstrate that how efficiently one processes information is the main factor underlying the development of working memory. Working memory itself is the main factor underlying individual differences in thinking. Moreover, the study revealed the existence of alternative development pathways. For some cognitive development proceeds at a fast and stable rate; for other the rate is fast and unstable; and for others it is slow and stable. These individual differences in the development depend upon the dynamic combination of the conditions of processing efficiency, working memory, and thinking.

"The Development of Mental Processing" integrates several psychological approaches in order to create a more comprehensive theoretical system. This system is tested through a longitudinal study of children 8 to 16 years of age, where findings show that it is ones efficiency at processing information, which has the greatest impact on the development of the working memory. This working memory, in turn, becomes the underlying factor determining individual differences in thinking.
Study presenting a developing comprehensive theorhetical system and showing its evolution.
Includes commentary by Kurt Fischer and Theo Dawson.
An interesting monograph for both students and researchers about the process of theory creation as much as the study's findings.