Best methods to measure working memory in conference interpreters
What is it about?
Studies about working memory and interpreting have used a variety of methods and yielded conflicting results. This paper analyses the cognitive tasks which have been used so far to assess which ones are the best to highlight differences between interpreters and non-interpreters. The method used is the statistical technique of meta-analysis, through which the results of interpreters and of non-interpreters are compared in four cognitive tasks. Interpreters show a significant working memory advantage in tasks based on verbal stimuli, but not in tasks based on non-verbal stimuli. In addition, differences are larger when there is a wider gap in interpreting expertise between the two groups.
Why is it important?
A meta-analysis about the tasks used so far is useful to guide methodological choices for future research.