Baddeley and Hitch- Working Memory Model

Question 1

What are the five main components of this model?

Answer 1

Central executive, Phonological loop, Episodic buffer, Visuospatial sketch pad, Long term memory

Question 2

Information about the Central Executive

Answer 2

Homunculus (meaning little man), it controls the other slave systems. It has a limited capacity, but is modality free.

Question 3

What information does the Phonological loop deal with?

Answer 3

Verbal information

Question 4

What two parts do the Phonological loop contain?

Answer 4

The Phonological store and the articulatory rehearsal system (your inner monologue)

Question 5

What does the Visuospatial sketchpad do?

Answer 5

Deals with visuospatial information. It is used for navigation.

Question 6

Evaluative strengths for the model

Answer 6

There is neurophysiological evidence (from those with Williams syndrome).
Baddeley and Hitch’s ‘F’ task.
It refines the multi-store model.
It has real life applications (reading, navigation)

Question 7

Evaluative weaknesses for the model

Answer 7

Evidence is from Lab experiments, which lack ecological validity.
Case studies are subject to individual differences.
Doesn’t explain how the central executive works