Comparing the Working Memory Capacity with Cognitive Flexibility, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Learning Styles of University Students: A Domain General View

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of working memory capacity with the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, cognitive flexibility level, and learning styles of university students. Methods: In the present study (N = 39), the participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Kolb Learning Styles Inventory, and Vermunt Learning Styles Inventory and three WM capacity (WMC) tasks that are Rotation Span Task, Operation Span Task, and Symmetry Span Task. Their WMCs were assessed, and the relationship of it was compared with cognitive emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, and learning styles. Results: The results indicated that there is a significant difference and negative correlation (r= −0.341) between Operation Span Task and refocus on planning. Findings of the research indicated correlations between emotion regulation strategies and between cognitive flexibility and two emotion regulation strategies that are refocus on planning (r = 0.528) and positive reappraisal (r = 0.574). Only one learning style that is Processing Strategies in Vermunt Learning Style Inventory was found significantly different in terms of the cognitive flexibility level of the participants. The results also indicated a positive correlation between verbal and spatial WM tasks which support the domain general view for WMC. Conclusions: Further studies are advised to be conducted between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and working memory capacity as these findings may have significant implications for understanding the correlation between memory and emotion.