Memory: Working Memory Model Flashcards
What are the 4 main components of the WMM?
- Central Executive
- Phonological Loop
- Visuo-spatial sketchpad
- Episodic Buffer
What type of memory is the WMM used for?
Short-term memory only.
How is the WMM and MSM different?
MSM is a unitary system (means a single system without any subsystems), whereas WMM is NOT a unitary store. (suggests 4 components carry out short-term memory)
What can the WMM be frequently susceptible to?
- Distractions
- Overload
- Overwork
Brief summary of WMM process?
- Input goes to sensory memory
- Sensory memory to central executive (if you’ve paid attention)
- Central executive to LTM
What is the central executive?
- The central executive (supervisor)
- Has overall control
What are the responsibilities of central executive?
- Processes info from any sensory system.
- Allocates tasks to slave systems.
- Most important part of working model.
Describe the capacity of central executive?
- Limited capacity
- Has the capacity to focus, divide and switch attention.
What study supports CE?
Braver 1997
What was the method of Braver?
Brain scan while carrying out cognitive tasks.
How does Braver’s study support the existence of CE?
Demonstrates that there is a specific area associated with the tasks carried out by CE. Suggesting there is a specific components that can be called CE.
What are the two slave systems?
- Phonological Loop
- Visuo-spatial sketchpad
What is the phonological loop/features?
- The ‘inner ear’ - deals with auditory information.
- Holds auditory speech info.
- Has limited capacity.
- Consists of of phonological store + articulatory loop.
What is the phonological store?
Holds words that are heard.
What is the ‘Articulatory loop’?
Allows maintenance rehearsal (i.e. repeating words in head)
What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?
- The inner eye
- Limited capacity
- Temporary memory system for holding visual and/or spatial info.
Why was episodic buffer added to the model?
Added because of criticisms that the model didn’t explain LTM or how STM integrated into the LTM.
What is episodic buffer/features?
- Storage component for CE.
- Links working memory to LTM and other cognitive processes such as perception.
What is evidence for PL?
Baddeley’s word length effect.
What case supports WMM?
Shallice & Warrington. (KF suffered damage to brain/phonological store)
What was the findings of Shallice and Warrington?
- KF had no problem with long-term memory. These findings suggest that different parts of the brain are involved in STM and LTM.
- MSM would disagree with this.
What is supporting evidence for WMM?
Braver
Baddeley
What are positives on WMM?
- WMM supported by dual task studies.
- KF case study supports WMM
What are limitations of WMM?
- Evidence from brain-damged patients may not be as reliable.
- Little is known about how the CE works.
- Model doesn’t explain link between working memory and LTM
