The Working Memory Model

Question 1

Who proposed the working memory model (WMM)?

Answer 1

Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

Question 2

What does the WMM suggest?

Answer 2

STM is a processor of different types of information using subunits (slave systems) co-ordinated by a central executive

Question 3

Central executive (CE)

Answer 3

Monitors incoming data, divides attention and allocated slave systems to tasks. It does not store information

Question 4

Phonological loop (PL)

Answer 4

Processes auditory information. The phonological store stores the words you hear and the articulacy process allows maintenance rehearsal of words

Question 5

Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)

Answer 5

Processes visual and spatial information with a limited capacity of ≈4 objects. The visual cache stores visual data and the inner scribe records the arrangement of objects in the visual field

Question 6

Episodic buffer (EB)

Answer 6

Temporary store for information with a limited capacity of ≈4 chunks, integrating material from other slave systems. It also links WM to LTM

Question 7

When was the EB added to the WMM?

Answer 7

2000

Question 8

Strengths of the WMM

Answer 8

• Supportive research from KF case study (eg. Unable to recall acoustic information but could still process visual information)
• Empirical evidence from dual task studies (eg. Baddeley & Hitch found performance was impaired when both tasks required PL)

Question 9

Limitations of the WMM

Answer 9

• CE is too vague (eg. Baddeley himself said further research is required)
• Many studies leading to WMM lack ecological validity (eg. Baddeley’s lab study on coding)