The working memory model

Question 1

Who developed the working memory model?

Answer 1

Baddeley & Hitch (1974)

Question 2

Name the components of the WMM?

Answer 2

Central executive
phonological loop
visuo-spatial sketchpad
episodic buffer
LTM

Question 3

What is the function of the central executive?

Answer 3

Monitors and coordinates all other mental functions working in memory - directs attention

Question 4

What does the phonological loop do?

Answer 4

Deals with auditory information - divided into the inner ear (holds the words you hear) and an inner voice (words silently repeated - form of maintenance rehearsal)

Question 5

What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad do?

Answer 5

Processes visual and spatial information

Question 6

What did LOGIE suggest the visuo-spatial sketchpad could be divided into?

Answer 6

1) a visual cache which stores information about visual items
2) an inner scribe which stores the arrangement of objects in the visual field

Question 7

What is the function of the episodic buffer?

Answer 7

An extra storage system that integrates all the components and links to the LTM

Question 8

What are three evaluation points of the WMM?

Answer 8

• Evidence from brain-damaged patients (SHALLICE & WARRINGTON - studied KF - had impaired verbal STM but intact visual memory after brain damage - demonstrates the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad are separate - increases ecological validity) - what about trauma of individual? or their previous characteristics?
• Vague - the CE does not really explain anything - likely to be more components (ESLINGER & DAMASIO - study of EVR - had a cerebral brain tumour removed - still had good reasoning skills suggesting his CE was in tact but had poor decision making skills suggesting CE was not wholly intact)
• More detailed than the MSM, breaks down STM rather than treating it as a unitary store - offers a more nuanced and flexible approach to understanding memory