The working memory model Flashcards
who developed the Working memory model?
Baddeley & Hitch developed the Working Memory Model (WMM), which focuses specifically on the workings of short-term memory
What is the working memory model (WMM)
A representation of short term memory(STM)
It suggests STM is a dynamic processor of different types of info
The WMM consists of 4 main components:
* Central executive(CE)
* Phonological loop(PL)
* Visuo-spatial sketchpad(VSS)
* Episodic buffer(EB)
What is the central executive (CE)
supervisory role
component of WMM that coordinates activity of 3 subsystems in memory
all incoming data passes to CE which decides which component should porocess it
& divides our limited attention spans(CE decides how much attention we give diff things )
& allocates slave systems
limited capacity of 2 seconds, does not store info
What is the phonological loop(PL)
1st slave system deals with auditory info
coding is acoustic
PL subdivided into:
* Phonological store-stores words heard
* * Articulatory process-allows maintenance rehearsal (by repeating sounds in loop to keep them in WMM
PL has limited capacity of 2 seconds
What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad(VSS)
2nd salve system
stores visual & spatially coded info
subdivided into:
* visual cache-stores visual data about form, shape & colour
* * Inner scribe-deals with spatial info–records arrangeemnts of objects in visual field
spatial info-records arrangemeents of objects in visual field e.g when you mentally visualise layout of your romm & bed
What is the Episodic Buffer(EB)
3rd slave system
added to WMM in 2000 by Baddeley
A general store to hold & integrate info from CE,PL,VSS & LTM
A03-How does Clinical evidence support WMM
Shallice & Warrington case study of patient KF
after brain injury, Kf had poor STM ability for auditory(sound) info
could process visual info normally
recall for letters & digits better when he read them(visual
Then when were read to him(acoustic)
Kf’s Phonological loop damaged but visuo-spatial sketchpad-intact
supports existence of separate visual & acoustic memory stores
A03-Why is the nature of central executive challenged?
lack of clarity over nature of CE
Baddeley stated ‘central executive is most important but least understood component of WMM)
some psychologists say CE may consist of separate sub-components
means CE is unsatisfactory component & challenges integrity of WMM
