LS4 - Working Memory Model

Question 1

Baddeley & Hitch

Answer 1

STM has sub-stores responsible for storing different types of information for short periods of time, components have limited capacity and are independant of each other.

Question 2

Central Executive

Answer 2

Has overall control and processes information in all sensory stores, it direct attention and decides which slave systems are needed. It has a limited capacity so can’t make many decisions at one time, so it will give priority to certain tasks.

Question 3

Slave Systems

Answer 3

Phonological Loop
Episodic Buffer
Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

Question 4

Phonological Loop

Answer 4

Temporarily stores and reherases word based information, so active when reading, speaking or listening. it can be subdivided into phonological store and articulatory processes.

Question 5

Phonological Store

Answer 5

Acts as an ‘inner ear’ and holds info in speeh form for 1/2 seconds. Spoken words enter directly whilst written words are converted to speech and stored.

Question 6

Articulatory Processes

Answer 6

Allows for maintenance reherasal of word-based information. It acts as an ‘inner voice’, rehearsing information from the phonological store. It circulates information in a loop e.g. repeating a phone number.

Question 7

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

Answer 7

Helps store and manipulate a limited amount of information for a brief period of time. It helps keep track of our spatial awareness. It can be divided into visual cache and inner scribe.

Question 8

Visual Cache

Answer 8

Stores visual data

Question 9

Inner Scribe

Answer 9

Remembers the arrangement of objects within a space.

Question 10

Episodic Buffer

Answer 10

Acts as a ‘backup store’ which communicates LTM and integrates visual, spatial and verbal information from other stores. It also records order of events. It’s linked to LTM and sends information to it however it has its own storages and processes.

Question 11

Strengths WMM

Answer 11

Can Account For Dual Tasking
Dual Tasking Research Support
Accounts For Case Studies
High Face Validity

Question 12

Weaknesses WMM

Answer 12

Central Executive Role Unclear
Brain Damaged Case Studies
Restricted to STM

Question 13

Can Account For Dual Tasking (+)

Answer 13

Because if one task is verbal and one is visual, the phonological loop can deal with the verbal and the visuo-spatial sketchpad can deal with the visual task.

Question 14

Dual Tasking Research Support (+)

Answer 14

Baddeley & Hitch - In one condition participants were asked to simultaenously complete 2 acoustic tasks, in another one visual and one acoustic. When both tasks required the phonological loop performance was impaired. However, when it requires simultaneous use of the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad performance isn’t impaired. This provides evidence for separate stores in the STM.

Question 15

Accounts For Case Studies (+)

Answer 15

Following a motorcycle accident KF could recall LTM but was only able to remember visual STM and was unable to remember acoustic infomration. It provides evidence for having 2 slave systems.

Question 16

High Face Validity (+)

Answer 16

The WMM explains how we can perform everyday tasks e.g. VR, Comp and problem solving better than the MSM can.

Question 17

Central Executive Role Unclear (-)

Answer 17

It has been argued the CE directs attention and decides which slave system is needed for task however, it’s vague, no research has been done into capcity & it has been suggested it has sub-stores.

Question 18

Brain Damaged Case Studies (-)

Answer 18

Vulnerable as it’s single cases of tramatic experiences making it hard to generalise as case studies are so unique and there is low control over them.

Question 19

Restricted To STM (-)

Answer 19

It doesn;t refer to LTM or sensory memory, although it isn’t a weakness the role of LTM an dsensory memory in relation to WMM would be helpful to know.