If the magical number is 4, how does one account for operations within working memory?

Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24 (1):136-138 (2001)
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Abstract

Cowan fails to obtain a magical number of 7 because his analysis is faulty. This is revealed by an alternative analysis of Cowan's own tasks. The analysis assumes a number 7 for adults, and neoPiagetian mental- capacity values for children. Data patterns and proportions of success (reported in Cowan's Figs. 2 and 3) are thus quantitatively explained in detail for the first time.

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10.1017/s0140525x01453921

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