J Shanghai Jiaotong Univ Sci

Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Science) >

2025 , Vol. 30 >Issue 1: 115 - 120

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-023-2585-z

Medicine-Engineering Interdisciplinary

Significant Retest Effects in Spatial Working Memory Task

  • 马显达1 ,
  • 2 ,
  • 3，兰兆辉1 ,
  • 2 ,
  • 3，陈志堂1 ,
  • 2 ,
  • 3 ,
  • MONISHA M L4 ,
  • 何欣怡1 ,
  • 2 ,
  • 3 ,
  • 李卫东1 ,
  • 2 ,
  • 3
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  • (1. Bio-X Institutes; Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Development and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders; Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; 2. Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; 3. WLA Laboratories, World Laureates Association, Shanghai 201203, China; 4. Institute of Pharmacology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK)

Received date: 2022-08-09

  Accepted date: 2022-08-27

  Online published: 2025-01-28

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Abstract

Working memory is a core cognitive function that supports goal-directed behavior and complex thought. We developed a spatial working memory and attention test on paired symbols (SWAPS) which has been proved to be a useful and valid tool for spatial working memory and attention studies in the fields of cognitive psychology, education, and psychiatry. The repeated administration of working memory capacity tests is common in clinical and research settings. Studies suggest that repeated cognitive tests may improve the performance scores also known as retest effects. The systematic investigation of retest effects in SWAPS is critical for interpreting scientific results, but it is still not fully developed. To address this, we recruited 77 college students aged 18—21 years and used SWAPS comprising 72 trials with different memory loads, learning time, and delay span. We repeated the test once a week for five weeks to investigate the retest effects of SWAPS. There were significant retest effects in the first two tests: the accuracy of the SWAPS tests significantly increased, and then stabilized. These findings provide useful information for researchers to appropriately use or interpret the repeated working memory tests. Further experiments are still needed to clarify the factors that mediate the retest effects, and find out the cognitive mechanism that influences the retest effects.

Key words： working memory, retest effects, spatial working memory and attention test on paired symbols (SWAPS), memory load

Cite this article

马显达1 , 2 , 3，兰兆辉1 , 2 , 3，陈志堂1 , 2 , 3 , MONISHA M L4 , 何欣怡1 , 2 , 3 , 李卫东1 , 2 , 3 . Significant Retest Effects in Spatial Working Memory Task[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Science), 2025 , 30(1) : 115 -120 . DOI: 10.1007/s12204-023-2585-z

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