Editing Decay theory (section)

===Working memory===

Both theories are equally argued in [[working memory]]. One situation in which this shows considerable debate is within the [[memory span|complex-span task]] of working memory, where a complex task is alternated with the encoding of to-be-remembered items.<ref name="emone" /> It is either argued that the amount of time taken to perform this task or the amount of interference this task involves cause decay.<ref name="emone" /> A [[working memory#Time-based resource sharing model|time-based resource-sharing model]] has also been proposed, stating that temporal decay occurs once attention is switched away from whatever information is to be remembered, and occupied by processing of the information.<ref name="emfour">{{cite journal | vauthors = Portrat S, Barrouillet P, Camos V | title = Time-related decay or interference-based forgetting in working memory? | journal = Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition | volume = 34 | issue = 6 | pages = 1561–4 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18980415 | doi = 10.1037/a0013356 | url = https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:88294 }}</ref> This theory gives more credit to the active rehearsal of information, as refreshing items to be remembered focuses [[attention]] back on the information to be remembered in order for it to be better processed and stored in memory.<ref name="emfour" /> As processing and maintenance are both crucial components of working memory, both of these processes need to be taken into account when determining which [[forgetting#Theories of forgetting|theory of forgetting]] is most valid. Research also suggests that information or an event's [[salience (neuroscience)|salience]], or importance, may play a key role.<ref name="emsix">{{cite journal | vauthors = Buhusi CV, Meck WH | title = Interval timing with gaps and distracters: evaluation of the ambiguity, switch, and time-sharing hypotheses | journal = Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes | volume = 32 | issue = 3 | pages = 329–38 | date = July 2006 | pmid = 16834500 | doi = 10.1037/0097-7403.32.3.329 }}</ref> Working memory may decay in proportion to information or an event's salience.<ref name="emsix" /> This means that if something is more meaningful to an individual, that individual may be less likely to forget it quickly.