The working memory model Flashcards
What is the order of the working memory model?
- Central executive (top)
- Phonological loop (left)
- Episodic buffer (middle)
- Visuo spatial sketchpad (right)
Who created the concept of the working memory model?
- Baddeley and Hitch
- Created it to understand how short term memory works
What is the encoding, capacity, description and research to support the central executive?
Encoding- modality free
Capacity- limited
Description- Decides what working memory pays attention to. For example: 2 activities can conflict (driving/ talking), so you stop talking as it directs attention and gives priority to particular activities.
Research- Bunge used an MRI scanner to see which parts of the brain were most active when participants were performing a single task and 2 tasks at once.
What is the capacity, description and research to support the visuo-spatial sketchpad?
Capacity- limited
Description- Stores visual and/or spatial information (inner eye).
Visual= what things look like
Spatial= relationship between things
Logie suggested subdivision- visuo cache + inner scribe for spacial relations
Research- Baddeley and Hitch asked participants to do 2 tasks that would utilise the visuo spatial sketchpad separately or at the same time.
What is the encoding, capacity and description of the phonological loop?
Encoding- sound
Capacity- limited (about 2 seconds)
Description- Deals with auditory information
Baddeley subdivided it into phonological store (holds heard words) and the articulatory process (inner voice)
What is the encoding, capacity, description and research to support the episodic buffer?
Encoding- modality free
Capacity- limited
Description- Baddeley added it when he realised the model needed a more general store. Provides an extra storage system with slave systems to deal with specific information types and integrates information from other areas.
Research- Alkhakifa used MRI scans to see which areas of the brain were the most active during particular tasks
If the point is:
There is supportive research for the working memory model.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- For example Alkhakifa used MRI scans to see which areas of the brain were the most active during particular tasks.
Explanation- The research explained that tasks involving a combination of verbal and spatial information had greater activity in the right frontal area of the brain. It also explains that tasks involving single sources of information had greater activity in the posterior area of the brain.
Link- This suggests there are different components in the working memory model and that the results provide neurological evidence that the episodic buffer provides storage for combined/ integrated information.
If the point is:
However, there is further naturalistic research support for the working memory model from the case of KF.
What is the evidence, explanation and link?
Evidence- KF could process visual information, but not verbal information, as the phonological loop was damaged but the visuo spatial sketchpad wasn’t.
Explanation- This showed that there are different stores of the working memory model.
Link- This provides even further support for the components of the working memory model.
If the point is:
However, the working memory model still contains several theoretical flaws that limit its use.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- For instance, the working memory model may still be oversimplified. The nature of the central executive is still unclear- it might not be a single entity (e.g. the case of EVR). This patient had a brain tumour removed, resulting in poor decision making skills but good reasoning skills.
Link- This suggests there may in fact be separate components within the central executive.
If the point is:
The concept of the working memory model has useful practical applications.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Park et al concluded that patients with schizophrenia tend to have problems with working memory that can be identified on dual tasks as used in the working memory model. Hence, schizophrenia can therefore be diagnosed on the basis of testing an individuals working memory.
Link- This implies that the working memory model has useful applications to a society at large.
