Lecture 2 - Memory Flashcards
What is the phonological loop?
A component of working memory in which speech-based information is processed and stored briefly and subvocal articulation occurs
What are the two subcomponents of the phonological loop?
- A phonological store
- Articulatory process
What is the phonological store?
Directly concerned with speech perception - holds information for a short amount of time only
What is the articulatory process?
Linked to speech production giving access to the phonological store - maintains information for longer periods of time by rehearsing it from time to time
What is phonological similarity effect?
Immediate serial recall of verbal material is reduced when the items sound similar
What is word-length effect?
Verbal memory span decreases when longer words are presented
What is articulatory suppression?
A rapid repetition of a simple sound which used the articulatory control processes in the phonological loop
Jacquemont et al., 2011
Word-length effect disappeared when PTs engaged in articulatory suppression.
A brain-damaged patient with impaired ability to engage in verbal rehearsal had no word-length effect.
What brain regions are involved in the phonological store?
- Supramarginal gyrus (BA40)
- Angular gyrus (BA39)
In the parietal lobe
What brain regions are involved in the articulatory control process?
- Broca’s area (approx. BA44 and BA45)
In the frontal lobe
What is the central executive?
- Resembles an attentional system
- Is involved in almost all complex cognitive activities - e.g., solving a problem, carrying out two tasks at the same time
- it does not typically store information
- Is responsible for distributing resources between the visuospatial sketchpad and the phonological loop
- Mottaghy (2006) - reviewed rTMS studies targeting the diPFC (BA9/46)
Central executive is the most important component of the working memory model
What is an executive process?
A process that organises and coordinates the functioning of the cognitive system to achieve current goals
What is dysexecutive syndrome?
condition in which damage to the frontal lobes causes impairments to the central executive component of working memory
What are executive functions?
Processes that organise and coordinate the workings of the cognitive system to achieve current goals - e.g., inhibiting dominant responses, shifting attention and updating information
