MEM 05 - Working memory model evaluation

Question 1

Who conducted the dual task experiment?

Answer 1

Alan Baddeley

Question 2

What were the findings of the dual task experiment?

Answer 2

• Simultaneous tasks using the same component of working memory interfere with each other
• Simultaneous tasks using different components of working memory do not interfere with each other much

Question 3

Why does the study of KF support the WMM?

Answer 3

• Shows that short term memory contains more than just one processing component
• Shows that there are separate coding processes, auditory and visual, in short term memory
• Shows that KF must have had damage to the phonological loop but not the visuo- spatial sketchpad

Question 4

Why was the episodic buffer added to the WMM?

Answer 4

The episodic buffer was added to the model to explain findings that had arisen that the original model could not explain.

Question 5

When was the episodic buffer added to the WMM?

Answer 5

In the year 2000.

Question 6

What was the case study of KF?

Answer 6

• The case study of KF refers to a man who had amnesia
• He did not perform well in immediate recall when words were spoken to him but when he read the words he performed significantly better with immediate recall
• This provided evidence for the theory that there could be more than STM

Question 7

What are the limitations of the case study of KF?

Answer 7

• It has poor population validity (there are no other examples of individuals like KF) meaning KF’s situation cannot represent the wider population
• Cannot be replicated in todays world as it would deemed unethical
• We do not known for sure if KF had any other neurological issues