Fig. 2.

Working memory updating tasks. a In running span, to-be-remembered stimuli are presented sequentially, and the respondent is asked to recall the last n of them in order. Here, n = 3 and the correct response is “6, 1, 3.” b In this example of mental counters, the respondent begins each trial by imagining the number “555.” Then, a series of cues quickly flash above or below lines that correspond to each counter, indicating that the respondent should update the original number by adding (flash above line) or subtracting (flash below line) 1 from the appropriate counter. In this example trial of Set Size 3, the correct response is “554.” Presentation times in updating tasks are generally quick to prevent rehearsal. Not to scale