Cognitive Approach: Working Memory Model

Question 1

What is the working memory model?

Answer 1

• working memory model suggests that STM is not a single store, but rather consists of a number of different stores
• suggests there are different stores for visual and auditory processing

Question 2

What is the dual-task technique?

Answer 2

• the procedure where participants carry out 2 tasks at once
• when performing 2 tasks simultaneously that both involved listening, people perform less well than if done separately
• when performing a listening and vision task, there was no problem

Question 3

Warrington and Shallice (1970) KF can be used for…

Answer 3

working memory model

Question 4

Warrington and Shallice (1970) KF - aim

Answer 4

• to observe the complexity of STM and understand the effects that the motorcycle accident had on KF

Question 5

Warrington and Shallice (1970) KF - procedure

Answer 5

• carried out a series of tests on KF whose LTM was intact, but STM was impaired
• had problems with memory span (recalling lists of words and numbers) but was able to learn
• KF quickly forgot numbers and words that were presented orally but remembered numbers and words that were presented visually
• KF’s impairment was mainly for verbal information, and his visual memory information was largely unaffected

Question 6

Warrington and Shallice (1970) KF - conclusion

Answer 6

• researchers concluded that his accident had resulted in damage to a short-term memory store that was auditory and not visual, and also verbal rather than non-verbal
• supports theory that there are separate STM components for visual and verbal information (phonological loop)