2 - The Memory System

Question 1

Define and explain the Working Memory?

Answer 1

The working memory consists of a central control centre, known as the central executive. The central executive has overall control over all the information entering and leaving the working memory. It quickly identifies which information should be sent to one of its sub-memory systems.

Question 2

Define the Central Executive?

Answer 2

The control centre of the working memory model, it uses three other ‘systems’ to control all the information moving in and out of the memory system.

Question 3

What are the three sub-systems of the working memory?

Answer 3

The phonological loop
The visuospatial sketchpad
The episodic buffer

Question 4

Define and explain the Phonological Loop?

Answer 4

Deals with auditory information from the senses and helps produce the memory trace.

• In sport information such as the coaches instructions, the call of a team mate or the sound of the ball hitting a racket can be processed in the phonological loop.
• The memory trace, which is an initial mental idea of the skill, can be sent to the long term memory where it can trigger a motor programme, or images that contains components of a skill, so that this motor programme can then be used to produce movement.

Question 5

Define and explain the Visuospatial Sketchpad?

Answer 5

Used to temporarily store visual and spatial information.
- this relates to some important sporting aspects. It concerns visual (sight) and spatial (where) information. It also helps to process information about the feel of the movement.

Question 6

Define and explain the episodic buffer?

Answer 6

Co-ordinates the sight, hearing and movement information from the working memory into sequences to be sent to the long-term memory.

• this is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad into sequences.
• It produces integrates sequences of sight, sound and movements which can be sent to the long-term memory. These sequences produce patterns of skilled actions that are put in order and sent to the long-term memory.

Question 7

Define and explain the Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

Answer 7

The long-term memory receives information from the working memory and has an unlimited capacity for the storage of motor programmes.
- Having collected the relevant information, the working memory produces a memory trace, a mental snapshot of the skill being used, and it then works with its partner, the long-term memory (LTM) by sending the memory trace to it so that the trace can be compared to information already contained in the storage area of the LTM.

Question 8

To ensure items are stored in the Long-Term Memory, the coach and player could could use a number of strategies, what are they?

Answer 8

• Rewards
• Association
• The use of mental practice
• Breaking the task down
• Focus
• Repetition of an action
• Chaining

Question 9

What the the memory tool acronym for the strategies used to store information in the LTM?

Answer 9

Males And Females Can Run Charity Races

Males: mental practice
And: association
Females: focus
Can: chunking
Run: rewards
Charity: chaining
Races: repetition