Memory: Working Memory Model

Question 1

What are the 4 main components of the WMM?

Answer 1

• Central Executive
• Phonological Loop
• Visuo-spatial sketchpad
• Episodic Buffer

Question 2

What type of memory is the WMM used for?

Answer 2

Short-term memory only.

Question 3

How is the WMM and MSM different?

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What can the WMM be frequently susceptible to?

Answer 4

• Distractions
• Overload
• Overwork

Question 5

Brief summary of WMM process?

Answer 5

1. Input goes to sensory memory
2. Sensory memory to central executive (if you’ve paid attention)
3. Central executive to LTM

Question 6

What is the central executive?

Answer 6

• The central executive (supervisor)

- Has overall control

Question 7

What are the responsibilities of central executive?

Answer 7

• Processes info from any sensory system.
• Allocates tasks to slave systems.
• Most important part of working model.

Question 8

Describe the capacity of central executive?

Answer 8

• Limited capacity

- Has the capacity to focus, divide and switch attention.

Question 9

What study supports CE?

Answer 9

Braver 1997

Question 10

What was the method of Braver?

Answer 10

Brain scan while carrying out cognitive tasks.

Question 11

How does Braver’s study support the existence of CE?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What are the two slave systems?

Answer 12

• Phonological Loop

- Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Question 13

What is the phonological loop/features?

Answer 13

• The ‘inner ear’ - deals with auditory information.
• Holds auditory speech info.
• Has limited capacity.
• Consists of of phonological store + articulatory loop.

Question 14

What is the phonological store?

Answer 14

Holds words that are heard.

Question 15

What is the ‘Articulatory loop’?

Answer 15

Allows maintenance rehearsal (i.e. repeating words in head)

Question 16

What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 16

• The inner eye
• Limited capacity
• Temporary memory system for holding visual and/or spatial info.

Question 17

Why was episodic buffer added to the model?

Answer 17

Added because of criticisms that the model didn’t explain LTM or how STM integrated into the LTM.

Question 18

What is episodic buffer/features?

Answer 18

• Storage component for CE.

- Links working memory to LTM and other cognitive processes such as perception.

Question 19

What is evidence for PL?

Answer 19

Baddeley’s word length effect.

Question 20

What case supports WMM?

Answer 20

Shallice & Warrington. (KF suffered damage to brain/phonological store)

Question 21

What was the findings of Shallice and Warrington?

Answer 21

• 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.

Question 22

What is supporting evidence for WMM?

Answer 22

Braver

Baddeley

Question 23

What are positives on WMM?

Answer 23

• WMM supported by dual task studies.

- KF case study supports WMM

Question 24

What are limitations of WMM?

Answer 24

• 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