the working memory model Flashcards
who proposed the working memory model?
baddeley and hitch
describe the function of the central executive
- controls & directs information
- problem solving
- decision making
- coordinates information to the correct slave system
what are the two components of the phonological loop?
- phonological store
- articulatory control system
describe the phonological store
- inner ear
- stores acoustic information briefly (2 secs)
what is the capacity of the central executive?
unlimited
describe the articulatory control system
- inner voice
- sub vocal rehearsal
- stores info we want to maintain/speak
describe the visuospatial sketchpad
- stores visual and spatial information
- limited capacity (3-4 items)
describe the episodic buffer
- recalls and integrates info from STM to LTM
- manipulates information
what is a strength of the working memory model (PEE)?
- KF
a strength of the working memory model is the supporting evidence from patient KF. after a motorcycle accident, he lost the ability to form verbal memories but could still form visual memories. for example, he had a digit span of 1 which suggests that the phonological store was damaged. therefore, this suggests that short term memory has separate stores which strengthens the concept of the working memory in comparison to the multi store model.
what is a strength of the working memory model (PEE)?
- seitz & schumann
a strength of the working memory model is the supporting evidence from Seitz and Schumann. participants carried out simple math sums whilst being disrupted by sound and visual interference tasks. they found that only the sound tasks impacted the ability to complete the sums. therefore, this suggests that visual and verbal information have are processed in separate stores and two tasks in one slave system can cause impairment. this supports the working memory model as the separate stores include the phonological store / articulatory control system.
what is a weakness of the working memory model (PEE)?
- KF
a weakness of the working memory model is that in patient KF’s study, there is low reliability. for example, case studies use complex procedures with unique brain damaged participants who have memory impairments. therefore, they cannot be accurately and ethically replicated as it would not be morally correct to reproduce and data would be difficult to compare as every participant has a different, complicated situation.
what are the applications of the working memory model?
a strength of the working memory model is the practical applications. for example, it explains that impairment in the phonological loop makes it difficult to remember a sequence that can be read aloud. therefore, it has implications for people with dyslexia who may need extra support or time in exams to compensate for this.
explain one strength or weakness of the working memory model (2 marks)
one strength is that it is supported by the evidence from patient KF. after a motorcycle accident, KF could only remember visual but not verbal information. for example, he had a digit span of 1 which suggests that the phonological store was damaged. therefore, this supports the concept that STM has separate stores.
