2.2: The phonological loop (PL)

Question 1

A researcher investigated the working memory model using a laboratory experiment. Forty students from a local college volunteered to take part.

In Condition A, 20 students performed the following two tasks at the same time:
• mentally counting backwards from 100
• tracking coloured shapes on a computer screen.

In Condition B, 20 different students performed the following two tasks at the same time:
• mentally counting backwards from 100
• reading a poem out loud.

The researcher predicted that the performance of students in Condition A would be better than the performance of students in Condition B.

Name the two components of working memory that would be involved in the performance of the tasks in Condition A (2 marks).
Mentally counting backwards from 100:

Tracking coloured shapes on a computer screen:

Answer 1

Mentally counting backwards from 100: Phonological loop

Question 2

A researcher investigated the working memory model using a laboratory experiment. Forty students from a local college volunteered to take part.

In Condition A, 20 students performed the following two tasks at the same time:
• mentally counting backwards from 100
• tracking coloured shapes on a computer screen.

In Condition B, 20 different students performed the following two tasks at the same time:
• mentally counting backwards from 100
• reading a poem out loud.

The researcher predicted that the performance of students in Condition A would be better than the performance of students in Condition B.

Name the two components of working memory that would be involved in the performance of the tasks in Condition A (2 marks).
Mentally counting backwards from 100: Phonological loop.

Tracking coloured shapes on a computer screen:

Answer 2

Tracking coloured shapes on a computer screen: Visuo-spatial sketchpad