In cognitive psychology, working memory is the collection of structures and processes within the brain used for temporarily storing and manipulating information (although the manipulation of working memory contents is increasingly being seen as attributable to executive function). Working memory consists of both memory for items which are currently being processed, and components governing attention and directing the processing itself. It should not be confused with short-term memory, which under this description can be considered a subset of working memory. Working memory may or may not be included under the rubric of executive function.
