Research title: Attentional and executive function behaviours of children with poor working memory

Researchers: Susan E. Gathercole, Tracy P. Alloway, Hannah J. Kirkwood, Julian G. Elliott, Joni Holmes, Kerry A. Hilton

Published: Learning and Individual Differences

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether poor working memory is associated with inattentive behavior. The researchers examined 52 children ages 5/6 and 9/10 and collected data based on teacher rating scales on their behavior. The results showed a high correlation between poor working memory and inattentive behavior manifesting itself in short attention spans, distractibility, problems in monitoring the quality of their work, and generating new solutions to problems. The researchers concluded that working memory may play a role in causing inattentive behavior.