Does solution of mental arithmetic problems such as 2 + 6 and 3 x 8 rely on the process of "Memory updating"?

Two experiments are reported that used the selective interference paradigm to study whether, besides response selection, the process of memory updating is involved in simple mental arithmetic. Participants were asked to solve simple sums (e.g.

The phonological loop in task alternation and task repetition.

It has recently been proposed that task repetition is easier than task alternation because the appropriate task settings are already present in working memory, whereas during task alternation task settings must be retrieved from long-term memory (Mayr & Kliegl, 2000). The present study tested whether the phonological loop is involved in keeping the relevant task settings active in working memory. It may then be expected that concurrent articulatory suppression would diminish the facilitation associated with task repetition because the phonological loop could no longer maintain the appropriate task settings active in working memory.