What is the role of working memory in the context of doodling as discussed by Andrade?

• A. Doodling reduces the need for working memory
• B. Doodling distracts from primary tasks due to memory overload
• C. Doodling may help offload excess working memory demands
• D. Doodling has no effect on working memory

Answer: (C)

The role of working memory in the context of doodling, as discussed by Andrade, highlights that doodling may help offload excess working memory demands. Working memory is the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding information available for processing. When individuals engage in tasks that require focus, such as listening to a lecture or participating in a conference call, working memory can become overloaded with the information being processed.

Doodling provides a beneficial distraction that allows the brain to maintain engagement without overwhelming its capacity. By engaging in doodling, which is a low-level task that requires minimal cognitive resources, individuals can relieve some pressure off their working memory. This can enhance their ability to process and retain important information from the primary task at hand, ultimately aiding concentration and comprehension.

In contrast, other options suggest entirely different relationships between doodling and working memory that do not align with Andrade's findings, such as reducing the need for working memory or having no effect at all.