2.2: The visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)

Question 1

Choose one study of the working memory model.

Briefly outline what the participants were asked to do in this study (2 marks)

Answer 1

In a study, participants in one condition were asked to play a computer game using a joystick while carrying out a visuospatial distracter task.
In the other condition participants played the same game but they had to carry out a verbal memory distracter task

Question 2

A brain scan shows that one area of the brain is more active when a person is doing a verbal task. However, when this person is doing a visual task, a different area of the brain is more active.
Give an example of an appropriate verbal task and an appropriate visual task which could be used during the brain scan (2 marks)

Answer 2

An appropriate verbal task is learning words, speaking and reading.
An appropriate visual task is mentally forming an image of something and answering questions about it