What is the role of working memory in cognitive-communication?

The role of working memory in cognitive-communication is to temporarily hold and manipulate information. Working memory is crucial for everyday cognitive tasks, such as problem-solving, reasoning, and understanding language. It allows individuals to keep relevant information active in their mind while they engage in complex tasks, such as following multi-step directions, participating in conversations, or constructing coherent narratives.

This capacity for temporary storage and manipulation enables people to integrate new information with existing knowledge, which is essential for effective communication. For instance, when someone listens to a story, they use working memory to remember characters, plot points, and details while simultaneously processing new information presented in the narrative. This functionality is what sets working memory apart from long-term memory, which is focused on the storage of information for more extended periods without the same level of manipulation or active engagement required in immediate cognitive tasks.