Does reading improve memory?

Introduction

The relationship between reading and memory, particularly working memory, has been a subject of extensive research. Understanding whether reading can improve memory involves examining various cognitive processes and how they interact with reading activities. This synthesis aims to present key insights from multiple studies to address the question: Does reading improve memory?

Key Insights

Reading and Working Memory Correlation:
- There is a significant moderate correlation between reading and working memory (WM), with verbal WM showing stronger relations with reading as readers gain more experience .
Impact of Reading on Verbal Working Memory:
- Learning to read enhances verbal working memory by improving phonemic awareness and phonological representations, which support better memory encoding and retrieval .
Cognitive Training and Memory Improvement:
- Cognitive training involving reading activities, such as reading aloud and solving simple arithmetic, improves various cognitive functions including verbal episodic memory, focus attention, and processing speed in older adults .
Reading Comprehension and Working Memory:
- Training programs focusing on reading comprehension and associated executive processes of WM can directly improve both reading comprehension and WM abilities in children .
Reading Acceleration and Working Memory:
- Programs combining reading acceleration and WM training significantly improve reading skills and WM abilities, with notable improvements in word accuracy and phonological complex memory.
Plasticity of Working Memory:
- Working memory capacity can be enhanced through training, which in turn improves reading skills, indicating a degree of plasticity in the neural systems underlying WM.

Conclusion

The collective findings from various studies suggest that reading activities can indeed improve memory, particularly verbal working memory. This improvement is facilitated through enhanced phonological processing, cognitive training, and the development of executive functions associated with reading comprehension. Therefore, engaging in reading activities not only supports better reading skills but also contributes to the enhancement of memory functions.

Does reading improve memory?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

A Meta-Analysis on the Relation Between Reading and Working Memory

Reading and working memory have a moderate correlation, with verbal working memory showing the strongest relationship with reading at or beyond 4th grade.

Does learning to read shape verbal working memory?

Learning to read shapes verbal working memory, potentially through enhancing subvocal rehearsal, phonemic awareness, and improved lexical representations.

Reading Aloud and Solving Simple Arithmetic Calculation Intervention (Learning Therapy) Improves Inhibition, Verbal Episodic Memory, Focus Attention and Processing Speed in Healthy Elderly People: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Learning therapy, using reading aloud and solving simple arithmetic calculations, improves inhibition, verbal episodic memory, focus attention, and processing speed in healthy elderly people.

The physiological basis of memory.

The physiological basis of memory explains that reading books improves one's knowledge, skill, and ability, leading to better living and work outcomes.

Effects of working memory and reading acceleration training on improving working memory abilities and reading skills among third graders

A combination of reading acceleration and working memory training programs is the most effective for improving reading skills and scholastic achievement in third graders.

Can verbal working memory training improve reading?

Verbal working memory training improves verbal working memory, but reading training improves word reading accuracy, suggesting the causal links between verbal working memory and reading accuracy may not be as direct as previously assumed.

The effect of cognitive training on recall range and speed of information processing in the working memory of dyslexic and skilled readers

Cognitive training can improve working memory capacity and enhance reading skills in both skilled and dyslexic readers, supporting the notion of plasticity in the neural system underlying working memory.

Working memory and updating processes in reading comprehension

Poor reading comprehension is linked to poorer working memory abilities, leading to poorer selection, updating, and avoiding intrusion errors in reading comprehension tasks.

Improvements in Reading Comprehension Performance After a Training Program Focusing on Executive Processes of Working Memory

A training program focusing on working memory and executive processes during reading comprehension activities effectively improves children's reading comprehension and executive functions, with some maintenance effects after 2 months.

Working Memory and Reading: A Life-span Perspective

Working memory skills improve from ages 6-19 and decline after adolescence, with reading disabilities significantly affecting performance at all age levels.

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