Paper 1 - Memory - Topic 2 - The Working Memory Model

Question 1

2.4 What does the WMM explain?

Answer 1

How short-term memory is organised and how it functions

The WMM was developed by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974

Question 2

2.4 What is the role of the CE in the WMM?

Answer 2

Monitors incoming data, focuses attention, allocates tasks

The CE has a very limited processing capacity and does not store information

Question 3

2.4 What is the PL responsible for?

Answer 3

Dealing with auditory information and preserving order

The PL is subdivided into the phonological store and the articulatory process

Question 4

2.4 What is the capacity of the PL believed to be?

Answer 4

Two seconds worth of what you can say

Question 5

2.4 What does the VSS store?

Answer 5

Visual and/or spatial information

The VSS helps visualise tasks, such as counting windows on a house

Question 6

2.4 What are the two subdivisions of the VSS?

Answer 6

Visual cache
Inner scribe

Question 7

2.4 What is the function of the EB?

Answer 7

Integrates visual, spatial, and verbal information; maintains time sequencing

The EB links working memory to LTM

Question 8

2.4 What is the capacity of the EB?

Answer 8

About four chunks

Question 9

2.4 What evidence supports the existence of separate visual and acoustic memory stores?

Answer 9

Case study of patient KF, who had impaired auditory memory but intact visual memory

Conducted by Tim Shallice and Elizabeth Warrington in 1970

Question 10

2.4 True or False: The CE is well understood and clearly defined

Answer 10

False

Baddeley noted that the CE is the least understood component of working memory

Question 11

2.4 What did Baddeley ET al.’s (1975) study on dual-task performance reveal?

Answer 11

Participants performed better on visual and verbal tasks than on two visual or two verbal tasks

This supports the existence of separate subsystems in working memory

Question 12

2.4 What is a limitation of the working memory model regarding the central executive?

Answer 12

Lack of clarity over its nature and functions

Some psychologists believe the CE may consist of separate sub components

Question 13

2.4 The dual-task studies support the working memory model because tasks that share a … are harder to perform together

Answer 13

Subsystems

Question 14

2.4 What is a criticism of the validity of the working memory model?

Answer 14

Studies use tasks that are unlike everyday tasks and are conducted in highly controlled lab conditions

Examples include recalling random sequences of letters