2.2: The episodic buffer

Question 1

Outline the episodic buffer component of the WMM (3 marks)

Answer 1

The episodic buffer is a slave system of the WMM

Question 2

Outline the episodic buffer component of the WMM (3 marks).
The episodic buffer is a slave system of the WMM.
How does it function?

Answer 2

It functions as a temporary store of integrated information

Question 3

Outline the episodic buffer component of the WMM (3 marks).
The episodic buffer is a slave system of the WMM.
It functions as a temporary store of integrated information from where?

Answer 3

It functions as a temporary store of integrated information from the:

1. Central executive
2. Phonological loop
3. Visuospatial sketchpad
4. Long-term memory

Question 4

Outline the episodic buffer component of the WMM (3 marks).
The episodic buffer is a slave system of the WMM.
It functions as a temporary store of integrated information from the central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad and long-term memory.
Why is it needed?

Answer 4

It is needed, because no other component of the WMM has the capacity to hold integrated information

Question 5

Suggest three ways in which the working memory model might be a better explanation of short-term memory than the multi-store model (3 marks)

Answer 5

1. STM is not a unitary store
2. WMM explains STM as a more active process than the MSM
3. The WMM has a range of research support, for example dual-task studies and brain scanning studies