Test Anxiety and Working Memory System

Abstract

The purpose was to examine the effect of test anxiety on deficits in the articulatory loop in the working memory system. We used a verbal memory task to occupy the articulatory loop and a spatial memory task to occupy the visuospatial scratch pad. 17 highly test-anxious and 19 low-anxiety subjects performed both tasks under an anxiety-inducing situation during which they were observed by a monitor camera. Percentage of correct responses and reaction times were measured as indices of task performance. Highly anxious subjects reported feeling worry and cognitive self-concern more than the low-anxiety group. Highly anxious subjects showed a longer mean reaction time on the verbal memory task than the low-anxiety group. On the spatial memory task there was no difference in quality of performance. This finding might suggest that anxiety such as worry and cognitive self-concern interferes with information processing in the articulatory loop of the working memory system.

The impact of achievement goal states on working memory

“…On the other hand, self-reported state performance-approach has also been found to predict higher capacity scores, but only when controlling for negative affect 5 (Linnenbrink, Ryan, & Pintrich, 1999). This is consistent with negative impact of anxiety on working memory performance (Ashcraft & Kirk, 2001;Ikeda, Iwanaga, & Seiwa, 1996;MacLeod & Donnellan, 1993), as well as suggestions that performanceapproach goals may elicit negative cognitions (e.g., anxiety and worry) that undermine effective use of cognitive resources (Linnenbrink et al, 1999; see also Pintrich & Schrauben, 1992). Interestingly, analysis of working memory processing errors on RSPAN, rather than capacity scores, indicate fewer errors for participants in a no-goal control condition relative to achievement goal states (Parkes et al, 1998).…”

Working memory load reduces the late positive potential and this effect is attenuated with increasing anxiety

“…In line with these predictions, state anxiety was associated with the decreased modulation of picture processing by working memory load (i.e., as indexed by the LPP); however, anxiety was not associated with differential behavioral performance (for similar results, see . Recent work has used ERPs to index compensatory effort in anxiety (Ansari & Derakshan, 2011), and more studies of this kind may be useful in understanding why anxious individuals may, at times, perform on par with nonanxious individuals (Ikeda, Iwanaga, & Seiwa, 1996;NavehBenjamin, McKeachie, Lin, & Holinger, 1981;A. Richards, French, Keogh, & Carter, 2000).…”

Stereotype threat and working memory: Mechanisms, alleviation, and spillover.

“…Research in the test anxiety literature indicating that the representation and rehearsal of unwanted thoughts and worries impacts the phonological resources of working memory supports this notion (Darke, 1988;Ikeda, Iwanaga, & Seiwa, 1996;Markham & Darke, 1991;Rapee, 1993). These thoughts and worries may also have some impact on central executive resources.…”