Memory: the working memory model Flashcards
what’s the working memory model?
a representation of STM. it suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information usingf sub-units coordinated by a central decision-making system.
what’s the central executive?
the component that co-ordinates the activities of the 3 subsystems in memory. it also allocates processing resources to those activities.
what’s the phonological loop?
the component that processes information in terms of sound. this includes both written and spoken material. it’s divided into the phonological store (stores the words you hear) and the articulatory process (allows maintenance rehearsal.
what’s the visuo-spatial sketchpad?
it processes visual and spatial information in a mental space called the ‘inner eye’. it’s sub-divided into visual cache (stores visual data) and inner scribe (records the arrangement of objects in the visual field).
what’s episodic buffer?
it brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than than seperate strands. it also provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory
what’s the clinical evidence to support the WMM?
Shallice + Warrington’s case study of KF who suffered brain damage. after, he had poor STM ability for verbal information but could process visual information normally. this suggests that his phonological loop had been damaged leaving other areas intact. this supports the existence of seperate visual and acoustic stores. however this information may not be reliable as it concerns unique cases of patients with traumatic experiences.
how do studies of dual-task performance support the WMM?
these studies show the seperate existence of the visuo-spatial sketchpad. Baddeley showed that participants had more difficulty doing 2 visual tasks than doing both a visual and verbal task at the same time. this increased difficulty is because the visual tasks compete for the same slave system whereas doing visual and verbal, there’s no competition. this means there are seperate slave system for visual input.
what’s the lack of clarity over the central executive?
cognitive psychologists suggest this component is unsatisfactory and limited. Baddeley said it’s the most important component but least understood. the central executive needs to be more clearly specigied than being just for attention. this means the WMM isn’t fully explained.
