the working memory model

Question 1

Working memory model

Answer 1

suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using sub-units coordinated by a central decision-making system

Question 2

Baddeley & Hitch (1974)

Answer 2

• to the part of memory you use when working on a complex task which requires you to store information as you go along ( eg = doing maths tasks)
• STM was not just one store but a number of different stores

Question 3

Central executive (CE)

Answer 3

• control centre = monitors incoming data
• coordinates subsystems
• allocates tasks to appropriate subsystems
• very limited processing capacity
• no storage of information

Question 4

Phonological loop (PL)

Answer 4

• deals with auditory information
• subdivided into phonological stores & articulatory process
• phonological stores = stores words we hear
• articulatory process = allows maintenance rehearsal, ‘loop’ which lasts for 2 seconds

Question 5

Episodic buffer (EB)

Answer 5

• added on in the 2000s
• brings together material from other subsystems into a single memory store
• limited capacity of about 4 chunks
• provides a bridge between WM & LTM
• storage component

Question 6

Visuospatial sketchpad

Answer 6

• stores visual & spatial information ( eg = counting your windows in your house)
• limited capacity of 3/4 items
• subdivided into the visual cache & inner scribe
• visual cache = stores visual data
• inner scribe = arrangement of objects in the visual field

Question 7

Evaluation of WM: Clinical evidence - Shallice & Warrington 1970 (strength)

Answer 7

• case of KF = poor STM recall for verbal information
  
  • good STM recall for visual information
• suggests that the phonological loop was damaged but the visuospatial sketchpad was intact
• supports that the STM has different parts

Question 8

Evaluation of WM: Clinical evidence - Shallice & Warrington 1970 (weakness)

Answer 8

• case studies may not be reliable as the person has suffered from trauma
• may not be able to generalise the results

Question 9

Evaluation of WM: Lack of clarity over the central executive - Baddeley 2003 (weakness)

Answer 9

• the central executive is the most important part of the model but the least understood
• some people suggest that the central executive may be sub-divided into separate components
• WM isn’t fully explained

Question 10

Evaluation of WM: Dual-task performance - Baddeley et al 1975 (strength)

Answer 10

• supports existence of the visuospatial sketchpad
• Baddeley et al (1975) = found that ppts found it more difficult to do 2 visual tasks than doing a visual & a verbal task at the same time
• due to the 2 visual tasks both using the visuo-spatial sketchpad (competing for resources) whereas doing a visual & verbal task using both the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad
• must be a separate system that processes visual information

Question 11

Evaluation of WM: Validity of the model (strength)

Answer 11

• dual task studies support the model because 2 tasks that share a subsystem are much harder to perform together than tasks that involve separate subsystems
• shows that there must be separate subsystems in the WM

Question 12

Evaluation of WM: Validity of the model (weakness)

Answer 12

• the studies use tasks that are artificial and don’t represent everyday life