The Working Memory Model

Question 1

Central Executive - (CE)

Answer 1

• Component of WMM which monitors incoming data, makes decision and allocates slaves systems to tasks.
• Has limited capacity

Question 2

Phonological Loop - (PL)

Answer 2

• Deals with auditory information.
• Subdivided into phonological store and articulatory process.

Question 3

Phonological store

Answer 3

Stores words you hear.

Question 4

Articulatory process

Answer 4

• Allows maintenance rehearsal.
• The capacity of this ‘loop’ is around two seconds’ worth of what you can say.

Question 5

Visuo-spatial sketchpad - (VSS)

Answer 5

• Stores visual and/or spatial information when required.
• Has limited capacity according to Baddeley (2003), which is around 3-4 objects.
• Divided into visual cache and inner scribe.

Question 6

Visual cache

Answer 6

Stores visual data.

Question 7

Inner scribe

Answer 7

Records arrangement of objects in the visual field.

Question 8

Episodic buffer

Answer 8

• Added in 2000
• Temporary store for information, integrating visual, spatial and verbal information processed by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing.
• Capacity of about four chunks.
• Links working memory to LTM and wider cognitive processes.