Bridging Behavioural, Neural, and First-Person Insights into Working Memory Strategies

Working memory is a core cognitive function, yet findings regarding its behavioural and neural underpinnings are often inconsistent. We argue that a major source of this inconsistency stems from the diverse strategies individuals employ to perform working memory tasks. To systematically address this variability, we propose a conceptual framework that captures the dynamic interplay among strategy characteristics, the factors determining strategy selection – such as task characteristics and individual differences in cognitive style and ability – and strategy manifestations across behavioural, neural, and first-person levels of observation. Drawing on evidence from behavioural experiments, neuroimaging studies, and subjective reports, we demonstrate how differences in strategy use contribute to variability in task performance, brain activation patterns, and experience. We argue that accounting for this variability in strategies is crucial for improving the reliability and generalizability of findings in working memory research, particularly in light of the replication crisis in cognitive science. Ultimately, our framework advocates for an integrated, multi-level methodology that advances both theoretical and applied understanding of working memory.