This paper examines the relationship between forward and backward digit span and basic cognitive processes. The subjects were 323 elementary school children who were divided into low-average, high-average, and superior-ability groups on the basis of IQ. Subjects were administered measures of sequential processing, simultaneous processing, and planning. Correlational analyses indicated the serial
... [Show full abstract] processing character of forward digit span, which is consistent with previous literature, and the relationship between backward digit span and planning. The discussion focuses primarily on the latter result and the variation across ability groups.