The Working Memory Model

Question 1

List the 4 different parts of the WMM

Answer 1

Central executive
Phonological loop
Visuospatial sketchpad
Episodic buffer

Question 2

Describe the role of the central executive.

Answer 2

Coordinates slave systems, processing incoming data. Limited processing capacity

Question 3

What is the role of the phonological loop?

Answer 3

Auditory information and it preserves the order

Question 4

What is the phonological loop divided into?

Answer 4

Phonological store —> stores words you hear

Articulatory processes —> maintenance rehearsal, capacity 2 seconds

Question 5

What is the role of the visuospatial sketchpad?

Answer 5

Visual and spatial information with a limited capacity

Question 6

What is the visuospatial sketchpad divided into?

Answer 6

Visual cache —> stores visual information

Inner scribe —> records arrangements of objects in a visual feild

Question 7

Describe the episodic buffer

Answer 7

Added by baddely

Temporary store for info and maintained a sense of time

Limited capacity (4 chunks)

Links working memory to LTM

Question 8

Describe the clinical evidence that supports the WMM (AO3)

Answer 8

Shallice and Warrington —> patient KF

KF had poor STM verbal ability but could process visual info normally.
Phonological loop damaged other areas of memory intact.

Although case studies = cannot generalise

Question 9

Describe how dual task performance supports the WMM (AO3)

Answer 9

Baddely

Found it is hard to do two visual tasks at the same time and found it easier to do one visual task and one verbal.

Therefore separate systems

Question 10

Describe the limitation of the WMM (AO3)

Answer 10

Baddely said the central executive is the most important part but least explained and understood.

Some psychologists say it’s made of more parts.

Not fully explained