Critically Evaluating the Evidence: Visual Short-Term Memory

This essay critically evaluates the evidence that visual short-term memory is distinct from other cognitive processes, a core topic in psychology. It begins by defining visual short-term memory as a crucial system for holding information briefly, essential for cognitive tasks. The essay contrasts this with broader cognitive processes, including thinking, remembering, and problem-solving. The main body of the essay explores the distinction between visual short-term memory and other cognitive functions, highlighting the limited capacity of short-term memory compared to the more extensive and durable nature of cognitive processes. The essay also discusses cognitive training programs and their potential to improve executive functions, such as working memory and problem-solving, by stimulating cognitive abilities and promoting neural network growth. The conclusion summarizes the key differences between visual short-term memory and cognitive processes and emphasizes the role of cognitive training in enhancing cognitive abilities. References from academic journals and online resources support the arguments presented.

Critically evaluate the evidence that
visual short term memory is distinct
from other cognitive process

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Critically evaluate the evidence that visual short-term memory is distinct from other cognitive
processes.....................................................................................................................................1
Evaluating the evidence for whether cognitive training programmes can improve executive
functions......................................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

Title: “To critically evaluate the evidence that visual short term memory is distinct from other
cognitive process .”
INTRODUCTION
Visual short term memory is an effective memory system which is very useful in sharing
useful set of information for few seconds and can be further used for cognitive task (Serences,
(2016)). Cognition is the term which has been referred to as the mental process in order to gain
high degree of knowledge. This study will focus on critically evaluating the evidence that visual
short term memory is distinct from other cognitive process.
EXPLANTION OF THE ISSUE
Critically evaluate the evidence that visual short-term memory is distinct from other cognitive
processes.
Visual short term memory are long lasting, durable and more abstract. It is considered to be as a
part of short term memory where they focus on effectively limiting there information within the
specific visual domain. It is one of the most integral part associated with the visual perception.
Visual short term memory is an effective memory system which is very useful in sharing useful
set of information for few seconds and can be further used for cognitive task (Schwarb, Nail &
Schumacher, (2016)).
Cognition is the term which has been referred to as the mental process in order to gain high
degree of knowledge. Cognitive process is an effective mental process which mainly comprise of
knowing, thinking, remembering, problem solving and judging. Cognitive process tends to
comprise of high degree of brain function which includes planning, encompassing language,
perception and imagination (Bettencourt & Xu, (2016)). It tends to comprise of various set of
intellectual functions which mainly includes formation of knowledge, memory, reasoning,
judgement evaluation, decision making, computation, working memory, problem solving, etc.
Cognitive process in turn tends to highly focus on using existing set of knowledge in order to
generate new knowledge. Cognition is used within an information processing view of an
individual psychology functions.
Hartshorne, & Germine, (2015) states that, cognition process tends to duly differ from the visual
short term memory. However, cognitive process indulge in more theoretical framework of the
process which has been used further for manipulation of information. Moreover, visual short
term memory is considered to be as one single component of the cognition process. Visual short
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term memory mainly comprises of the scratch pad which results in temporary recalling of certain
set of information which can be effectively processed at any point of time (SHORT-TERM
(WORKING) MEMORY, 2019). It tends to hold small degree of information is active in the mind
for short period of time. Cognitive process comprise of high degree of brain function and also
tends to function wide set of activities. However, visual short term memory tends to have limited
capacity. Cognitive process tends to use and retain the information for the longer period of time
(Román-González, Pérez-González & Jiménez-Fernández, (2017)). However, the visual short
term memory only retains the specific set of information or memory. The brain area which in
turn tends to get engaged within the sensory process are likely to participate in visual short term
memory information maintenance. Moreover, visual short term memory is considered to be as
the integral indicator of cognitive aptitude.
DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL
Evaluating the evidence for whether cognitive training programmes can improve executive
functions.
Cognitive training programs comprises of range of exercises which is very useful in stimulating
the varied kind of cognitive abilities within an individual (Schneider, & Newman, (2015)).
Cognitive training programs mainly includes those task which helps in problem solving, working
memory, fast information processing, focus and attention. There are various range of executive
functions which mainly includes inhibition, self- awareness, self- motivation, non- verbal
working memory, problem solving, planning, emotional self- regulation, etc. which in turn
eventually result in improving the various executive functions (Postle, (2015)). Cognitive
training programs are considered to be very useful because it helps in improving the various
range of executive functions. Cognitive training programs are considered to be highly relevant
for improving the health of the brain. It is one of the most prominent measure because it tends to
eventually leads to growing of the new neutral networks which is very useful in speeding up the
crucial connections. However, a cognitive training programs are useful because it helps in
enhancing the activity of the brain and will also help in triggering the growth of the new neurons
which in turn results in improving the executive functions (Anguera, & Gazzaley, (2015)). This
cognitive training programs for carrying out regular activities helps the individual in maintaining
and also improving the cognitive abilities of the person. The cognitive ability term is mainly
referred to as the key element of fluid intelligence like working memory and executive function.
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Cognitive training programs is also very prominent because it helps in improving the motor skills
of the individual person. It helps in effectively examining the immediate life threatening decision
in various emergency situation. It is very useful in developing career performance and also helps
in mental wellbeing of the individual person. However, Cognitive training program like
cognitive stimulation games, teaching of new skills are very prominent because it helps in
improving the executive functions such as non- verbal working memory, inhibition, self-
awareness, self- motivation, problem solving, planning, emotional self- regulation, etc. for
personal development of an individual (Román-González, Pérez-González & Jiménez-
Fernández, (2017)). Hence, Cognitive training program are very significant to improve the
cognitive abilities and executive functions among the individual person.
CONCLUSION
From the study it has been summarized that, Visual short term memory are long lasting,
abstract and durable. Cognition process tends to duly differ from the visual short term memory. Visual
short term memory is a part of cognitive process. Moreover, it has been concluded that, cognitive
training programs includes range of exercises which helps in stimulating the varied kind of
cognitive abilities within an individual. Cognitive training programs helps in triggering the
growth of the new neurons which in turn results in improving the executive functions within
individual.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anguera, J. A., & Gazzaley, A. (2015). Video games, cognitive exercises, and the enhancement
of cognitive abilities. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 4, 160-165.
Bettencourt, K. C., & Xu, Y. (2016). Decoding the content of visual short-term memory under
distraction in occipital and parietal areas. Nature neuroscience, 19(1), 150.
Hartshorne, J. K., & Germine, L. T. (2015). When does cognitive functioning peak? The
asynchronous rise and fall of different cognitive abilities across the life
span. Psychological science, 26(4), 433-443.
Postle, B. R. (2015). The cognitive neuroscience of visual short-term memory. Current opinion
in behavioral sciences, 1, 40-46.
Román-González, M., Pérez-González, J. C., & Jiménez-Fernández, C. (2017). Which cognitive
abilities underlie computational thinking? Criterion validity of the Computational Thinking
Test. Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 678-691.
Schneider, W. J., & Newman, D. A. (2015). Intelligence is multidimensional: Theoretical review
and implications of specific cognitive abilities. Human Resource Management
Review, 25(1), 12-27.
Schwarb, H., Nail, J., & Schumacher, E. H. (2016). Working memory training improves visual
short-term memory capacity. Psychological research, 80(1), 128-148.
Serences, J. T. (2016). Neural mechanisms of information storage in visual short-term
memory. Vision research, 128, 53-67.
Online
SHORT-TERM (WORKING) MEMORY. 2019. [ONLINE]. Available through< https://human-
memory.net/short-term-working-memory/ >
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