A good working memory could be the secret to a happy and successful life, research suggests.
Scientists have found people with a good working memory are more likely to be optimistic and self-assured.
Those whose working memory was poor were more likely to “brood” and scored higher in tests of pessimism.
Working memory is the ability to remember and process information at the same time.
It is employed when a person is asked to count back two digits from a number and provide the answer without hesitation.
Research suggests that individuals with good working memories tend to have better jobs and relationships.
Tracy Alloway, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, wanted to see if it also had a bearing on happiness.
She carried out a study of 1,200 people aged from their late teens to their sixties who were given a series of psychological tests and questionnaires.
“We found that people who have a high working memory tend to be more optimistic, more hopeful about life, more confident that they can cope with problems and adjust to situations,” said Dr Alloway.