Memory - The Working Memory Model Flashcards
WMM
Working memory model
What memory store is the WMM exclusive to?
The STM
What does the WMM show about the STM which is different to the MSM?
It says out STM isn’t unitary as it is made up of different components
4 components in our working memory according to the WMM
Visuospatial sketchpad (VSS)
Central executive
Phonological loop
Episodic buffer
What type of system is the WMM?
An active system
Who developed the WMM?
Baddeley and Hitch
When was the WMM developed?
1974
What component of the working memory wasn’t included in the original WMM?
The episodic buffer
When was the episodic buffer added to the WMM?
In 2000
Why was the episodic buffer added to the WMM?
They had faced criticisms for not including the LTM so they added it as a way of explaining the link between STM and LTM
What were the creators of the WMM never interested in explaining which explains why they didn’t add the episodic buffer?
They were never interested in explaining how information is transferred from the STM to the LTM
What is the role of the WMM?
To temporarily store and manipulate information being used
What three things is the working memory fragile to?
Distractions
Overload
Overwork
Who carried out the Dual Task experiment?
Baddeley
If your working memory is using multiple subsystems from the same component, what will happen to processing?
It will slow down
Why will processing slow down if the working memory is using a different subsystem of the same component?
Because each thing you’re trying to do is competing for the same resources (due to limited capacity)
When can you perform two tasks at the same time?
If you are using different components of the WMM
Procedure of Baddeley’s Dual Task experiment
Participants asked to repeatedly say ‘la’ when reading a particular extract. After this they were asked to tell the researcher what they had just read
Results of Baddeley’s Dual Task experiment
Participants could not tell the researcher what they had just read
CE
Central executive
What is the CE in charge of?
The STM
Where does every bit of information that goes into the CE come from?
The 5 senses (similar to sensory register)
Role of the CE
Process information and then send it to one of the 2 subsystems
Capacity of CE
Limited capacity
Result of a damaged CE
Might mean that new STMs cannot be processed
What does the CE allow us to switch attention between?
Switch attention between tasks
VSS
Visuospatial sketchpad
Another name for the VSS
The inner eye
Capacity of the VSS
Limited capacity
What information does the VSS deal with?
Visual information
Examples of visual information
An image of something
Spatial awareness
Planning a route
What type of system is the VSS?
A subsystem
PL
Phonological loop
What is the PL made up of?
The inner voice and inner ear
What type of system is the PL?
A subsystem
What type of information enters the inner ear?
Speech-based information
Where does information enter the inner ear via?
The CE
How does information enter the inner ear?
By sub-vocal repetition
Where does sub-vocal repetition of information take place?
In the inner ear
What type of information is reading information?
Speech-based information - NOT VISUAL INFORMATION
Duration of information in the PL
Up to 2 seconds
What process allows information to enter the LTM?
Sub-vocal repetition
Which case study supports the WMM?
The KF case study
What did KF suffer from?
A brain injury as a result of a motorcycle accident
What did KF not have problems with as a result of his brain injury?
His LTM
Who carried out the KF case study?
Warrington and Shallice
What was KFs ST forgetting of auditory letters and digits (things that he heard) much greater than?
His forgetting of visual stimuli (things that he saw)
What was KFs STM deficit limited to?
Verbal materials
What could KF remember and what couldn’t KF remember?
Could remember meaningful sounds but couldn’t remember words
What about the KF case study showed that there are separate STM components for the VSS and PL?
The fact that his memory of visual information was largely unaffected
Positive evaluation for WMM: dual task experiment
It was conducted in a lab (highly controlled conditions) meaning extraneous variables could be controlled to establish a cause-and-effect relationship
Positive evaluation for WMM: KF
Only some aspects of his STM were damaged which supports WMM as KF showed STM has different components
Positive evaluation for WMM: detail
WMM more detailed than MSM
Negative evaluation of WMM: trivial tasks
In dual task experiment participants asked to repeatedly say ‘la’ when reading an extract. This experiment is not something people do on everyday life so therefore the validity of the findings is decreased
Negative evaluation of WMM: dual task experiment conducted in lab
Means research may lack ecological validity
Negative evaluation of WMM: vagueness of WMM
Vague about central executive and relationship of STM with LTM
