Lesson 6 - Evaluation of the Working Memory Model

Question 1

Neurobiological Evidence WMM

Shallice and Warrington (1970)

Answer 1

Case of KF from motorbike leading to poor STM for words presented verbally but not visually
Suggests more than 1 type of STM
Shows STM for verbal tasks (phonological loop) and another for visual (visuo-spatial sketchpad)

Question 2

Laboratory Experiments WMM

Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

Answer 2

Dual task
Complete a reasoning task - which uses CE, while also doing a reading aloud task - uses PL
Participants could do both simultaneously well supporting idea of separate components in STM

Question 3

Laboratory Experiments WMM

Baddeley et al (1975)

Answer 3

Gave participants visual presentations of lists of words and told to recall immediately in order
Recalled more short words than long words
Word length effect concluding support for PL holding infinite items in 1.5-2 seconds than limited by 7(+/-)2 like MSM argues

Question 4

General Evaluation WMM

Practical Applications

Answer 4

Improved understanding of how people learn to read and helped psychologists assist those with dyslexia

Question 5

General Evaluation WMM
Central Executive
Damasio (1985)

Answer 5

CE is too vague and unstable
Damasio presented case of EVR who had a cerebral tumour removed
Good reasoning skills suggesting CE was intact but could not make decisions suggesting CE damaged
Indicates that CE is more complicated than WMM claims