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Working Memories: Postmen, Divers and the Cognitive Revolution
Technological developments during the Second World War led to an approach that linked ideas from computer science to neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy and psychology, known today as the Cognitive Revolution. Leaving behind traditional behaviourist approaches popular at the time, psychology began to utilise artificial intelligence and computer science to develop testable theories and design groundbreaking new experiments. The Cognitive Revolution dramatically changed the way that psychological research and studies were conducted and proposed a new way of thinking about the mind. In Working Memories , Alan Baddeley, one of the world's leading authorities on Human Memory, draws on his own personal experience of this time, recounting the radical development of a pioneering science in parallel with his own transatlantic, vibrant and distinguished career. Detailing the excitement and sometimes frustration experienced in taking psychology into the world beyond the laboratory, Working Memories presents unique insights into the mind and psychological achievements of one of the most influential psychologists of our time.
370 pages, Hardcover
Published September 4, 2018
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Alan Baddeley
28 books19 followersAlan Baddeley is Professor of Psychology at York and one of the world's leading authorities on human memory. He is celebrated for devising the ground-breaking and highly influential working memory model with Graham Hitch in the early 1970s, a model which still proves valuable today in recognising the functions of short-term memory. He was awarded a CBE for his contributions to the study of memory, is a Fellow of the Royal Society, of the British Academy and of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 23, 2025
Alan Baddeley’s Working Memories offers an unparalleled glimpse into the cognitive revolution and the development of modern psychology. Written by a leading expert in human memory, the book seamlessly combines rigorous scientific exposition with memoir-like storytelling. Readers are invited to explore not only the groundbreaking theories and experiments that defined the field but also the personal and professional experiences that shaped Baddeley’s illustrious career. The book’s scope is both broad and precise, encompassing historical, technological, and philosophical developments that influenced the trajectory of psychology.
What makes this book particularly engaging is its narrative style. Baddeley interweaves his professional journey with the broader story of the field, providing context and human insight that elevate the material beyond standard academic writing. His recounting of experiments, collaborations, and professional challenges brings life to the text, illustrating the intellectual and emotional dimensions of scientific discovery. This personal perspective makes the book resonate with readers, whether they are psychologists, students, or general science enthusiasts.
The clarity and accessibility of the writing are impressive. Complex topics such as working memory, information processing, and cognitive modeling are explained with precision and care, ensuring that readers can grasp sophisticated ideas without feeling lost. The balance between technical explanation and narrative storytelling demonstrates Baddeley’s skill as both a scientist and a communicator, making the book a valuable resource and a highly enjoyable read.
In conclusion, Working Memories is a remarkable contribution to the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science. It offers readers insight into the evolution of a transformative scientific movement, while also celebrating the career and contributions of one of its leading figures. For anyone interested in understanding the human mind, the history of psychology, or the personal journey of a groundbreaking researcher, this book is a deeply rewarding and inspiring read.
What makes this book particularly engaging is its narrative style. Baddeley interweaves his professional journey with the broader story of the field, providing context and human insight that elevate the material beyond standard academic writing. His recounting of experiments, collaborations, and professional challenges brings life to the text, illustrating the intellectual and emotional dimensions of scientific discovery. This personal perspective makes the book resonate with readers, whether they are psychologists, students, or general science enthusiasts.
The clarity and accessibility of the writing are impressive. Complex topics such as working memory, information processing, and cognitive modeling are explained with precision and care, ensuring that readers can grasp sophisticated ideas without feeling lost. The balance between technical explanation and narrative storytelling demonstrates Baddeley’s skill as both a scientist and a communicator, making the book a valuable resource and a highly enjoyable read.
In conclusion, Working Memories is a remarkable contribution to the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science. It offers readers insight into the evolution of a transformative scientific movement, while also celebrating the career and contributions of one of its leading figures. For anyone interested in understanding the human mind, the history of psychology, or the personal journey of a groundbreaking researcher, this book is a deeply rewarding and inspiring read.
November 23, 2025
Alan Baddeley’s Working Memories is a masterful exploration of the evolution of cognitive psychology, blending rigorous science with personal narrative in a way that is both enlightening and captivating. From the very first pages, the book immerses readers into the post-war period where psychology was undergoing a revolutionary shift, moving away from rigid behaviorist paradigms toward a more dynamic understanding of the human mind. Baddeley’s ability to contextualize these scientific breakthroughs within the broader historical and technological developments of the time makes the book both intellectually stimulating and historically enriching.
What sets this work apart is Baddeley’s personal involvement in the story. His reflections on his transatlantic career and experiences with groundbreaking experiments bring an immediacy and authenticity that few scientific memoirs can achieve. Readers are offered a rare glimpse into the life of a leading psychologist, not just as a scholar, but as a participant in the Cognitive Revolution itself. The combination of anecdotal storytelling and academic insight is seamless and deeply engaging.
The book also excels in its ability to explain complex psychological theories without oversimplification. Baddeley introduces key concepts like working memory with clarity and precision, making them accessible to both professionals in the field and curious lay readers. The narrative’s pacing allows for both detailed scientific discussion and reflective moments, giving the book a rhythm that mirrors the intellectual excitement and occasional frustrations of scientific discovery.
Ultimately, Working Memories is a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and human intellect. It offers a compelling portrait of a transformative era in psychology, while also serving as a testament to Baddeley’s own remarkable career. For anyone interested in cognitive science, neuroscience, or the history of psychology, this book is an indispensable and thoroughly enjoyable read.
What sets this work apart is Baddeley’s personal involvement in the story. His reflections on his transatlantic career and experiences with groundbreaking experiments bring an immediacy and authenticity that few scientific memoirs can achieve. Readers are offered a rare glimpse into the life of a leading psychologist, not just as a scholar, but as a participant in the Cognitive Revolution itself. The combination of anecdotal storytelling and academic insight is seamless and deeply engaging.
The book also excels in its ability to explain complex psychological theories without oversimplification. Baddeley introduces key concepts like working memory with clarity and precision, making them accessible to both professionals in the field and curious lay readers. The narrative’s pacing allows for both detailed scientific discussion and reflective moments, giving the book a rhythm that mirrors the intellectual excitement and occasional frustrations of scientific discovery.
Ultimately, Working Memories is a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and human intellect. It offers a compelling portrait of a transformative era in psychology, while also serving as a testament to Baddeley’s own remarkable career. For anyone interested in cognitive science, neuroscience, or the history of psychology, this book is an indispensable and thoroughly enjoyable read.
November 23, 2025
Alan Baddeley’s Working Memories is a triumph in scientific writing, providing readers with a rare combination of personal memoir and scholarly insight. The book chronicles the development of cognitive psychology, a field that fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the mind, while simultaneously highlighting Baddeley’s own pioneering contributions. From the technological innovations of the post-war era to the theoretical debates that defined the cognitive revolution, this book paints a rich and vivid picture of psychology’s evolution in the 20th century.
The memoir elements are particularly compelling. Baddeley’s transatlantic career and his firsthand experiences with groundbreaking research lend a deeply personal and engaging dimension to the narrative. Readers gain insight into the challenges, triumphs, and intellectual rigor that accompany scientific exploration. His reflections on the collaborative nature of research, the excitement of discovery, and the occasional frustrations encountered along the way make the story relatable and inspiring.
The book also excels in its communication of complex ideas. Baddeley’s explanations of working memory, attention, and experimental methodology are precise and accessible, making sophisticated cognitive concepts understandable to readers at all levels. The book balances technical detail with narrative flow, ensuring that readers remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed by jargon or theory. This approach demonstrates Baddeley’s mastery not only as a scientist but also as a storyteller and educator.
Overall, Working Memories is an essential read for anyone interested in the human mind, cognitive psychology, or the history of scientific discovery. It is intellectually rewarding, deeply personal, and elegantly written. Baddeley’s memoir is both a celebration of psychology’s transformative journey and a testament to the curiosity and perseverance that drive scientific innovation. This book is a brilliant blend of science, history, and memoir.
The memoir elements are particularly compelling. Baddeley’s transatlantic career and his firsthand experiences with groundbreaking research lend a deeply personal and engaging dimension to the narrative. Readers gain insight into the challenges, triumphs, and intellectual rigor that accompany scientific exploration. His reflections on the collaborative nature of research, the excitement of discovery, and the occasional frustrations encountered along the way make the story relatable and inspiring.
The book also excels in its communication of complex ideas. Baddeley’s explanations of working memory, attention, and experimental methodology are precise and accessible, making sophisticated cognitive concepts understandable to readers at all levels. The book balances technical detail with narrative flow, ensuring that readers remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed by jargon or theory. This approach demonstrates Baddeley’s mastery not only as a scientist but also as a storyteller and educator.
Overall, Working Memories is an essential read for anyone interested in the human mind, cognitive psychology, or the history of scientific discovery. It is intellectually rewarding, deeply personal, and elegantly written. Baddeley’s memoir is both a celebration of psychology’s transformative journey and a testament to the curiosity and perseverance that drive scientific innovation. This book is a brilliant blend of science, history, and memoir.
November 23, 2025
Working Memories is a fascinating and highly insightful account of the cognitive revolution, skillfully written by one of the leading authorities in human memory research. Alan Baddeley’s narrative brings to life the intellectual excitement of a field that transformed the way we understand thought, memory, and human behavior. By situating cognitive psychology within the broader historical, technological, and philosophical context of the 20th century, Baddeley provides a comprehensive view of the discipline’s evolution, making the book compelling for both professionals and enthusiasts.
The memoir aspects of the book add remarkable depth. Baddeley recounts his career experiences with honesty and nuance, offering readers a firsthand view of the milestones, setbacks, and collaborative efforts that characterized this transformative era. His personal reflections reveal not only the scientific achievements but also the human stories behind them, making the book engaging and relatable. The combination of professional insight and personal anecdote enriches the narrative and provides a uniquely authentic perspective on the history of psychology.
Baddeley also succeeds in translating complex scientific ideas into clear, accessible language. Concepts such as working memory, cognitive modeling, and experimental design are presented thoughtfully, allowing readers to grasp intricate theories without losing the book’s intellectual rigor. The careful balance of detail, explanation, and narrative flow ensures that the book is both informative and enjoyable.
In summary, Working Memories is an exceptional work that merges scientific history, personal memoir, and cognitive psychology with elegance and precision. It illuminates the transformative ideas that shaped modern psychology while offering an inspiring look into the career of one of its foremost contributors. This book is indispensable for students, researchers, and anyone curious about the workings of the human mind.
The memoir aspects of the book add remarkable depth. Baddeley recounts his career experiences with honesty and nuance, offering readers a firsthand view of the milestones, setbacks, and collaborative efforts that characterized this transformative era. His personal reflections reveal not only the scientific achievements but also the human stories behind them, making the book engaging and relatable. The combination of professional insight and personal anecdote enriches the narrative and provides a uniquely authentic perspective on the history of psychology.
Baddeley also succeeds in translating complex scientific ideas into clear, accessible language. Concepts such as working memory, cognitive modeling, and experimental design are presented thoughtfully, allowing readers to grasp intricate theories without losing the book’s intellectual rigor. The careful balance of detail, explanation, and narrative flow ensures that the book is both informative and enjoyable.
In summary, Working Memories is an exceptional work that merges scientific history, personal memoir, and cognitive psychology with elegance and precision. It illuminates the transformative ideas that shaped modern psychology while offering an inspiring look into the career of one of its foremost contributors. This book is indispensable for students, researchers, and anyone curious about the workings of the human mind.
July 27, 2019
In this memoir t’s really interesting to read, not only the juicy details of the academia in the 60s, but how the scientific theory of the Working Memory model was evolving: what were the experiences and experiments that led to new insights, which were the abandoned paths and the still unanswered questions. Baddeley’s voice is privileged I narrating this process, with the benefit of hindsight - which makes the story even more compelling.
Cons? Some parts have way too much detail about the old organizational structures of scientific funding. In some chapters it’s easy to get lost in the details if you’re not a cognitive psychologist. Yet it’s still interesting and engaging through the book. I missed any sort of list of references to connect the narrative with the actual scientific works of Baddeley or others.
Bottom line: a nice read, specially for researchers and curious readers who want to learn about one of the major figures in cognitive psychology.
Cons? Some parts have way too much detail about the old organizational structures of scientific funding. In some chapters it’s easy to get lost in the details if you’re not a cognitive psychologist. Yet it’s still interesting and engaging through the book. I missed any sort of list of references to connect the narrative with the actual scientific works of Baddeley or others.
Bottom line: a nice read, specially for researchers and curious readers who want to learn about one of the major figures in cognitive psychology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews