Which cognitive process is primarily involved when a student follows multistep directions?

The cognitive process primarily involved when a student follows multistep directions is working memory. Working memory is essential for holding and processing information over short periods, allowing individuals to retain the initial steps while simultaneously executing them. When a student receives multistep directions, they need to briefly hold each step in mind while working through the sequence, which is exactly what working memory facilitates.

This cognitive function is crucial for tasks that require the manipulation and integration of information in real time, such as solving complex problems or following instructions. If a student were to struggle with working memory, they might find it challenging to keep track of all the steps necessary to complete the task, leading to confusion or incomplete execution of the directions.

In contrast, long-term memory focuses on the storage and retrieval of information over extended periods, which is not the primary function when immediately following directions. Productive thinking refers to generating new ideas or solutions, which is not central to the process of carrying out given instructions. Social cognition involves understanding social situations and interactions, which doesn't directly relate to the cognitive demands of following multistep directions. Thus, working memory is the most relevant cognitive process for this scenario.