The Working Model Of Memory

Question 1

Working memory model

Answer 1

• short term memory only
• active processor: stores work together to process information.
• explains dual tasking: 2 thing at once (using two separate stores)

Question 2

Draw the working memory model

Answer 2

X

Question 3

Central executive

Answer 3

• the controller
• delegates to the slaves (determine where the brain’s attention should be directed)
• problem solves
• limited capacity
• deals with all types of information

Question 4

Visuospatial sketchpad

Answer 4

• inner eye
• internal map
• visual and spatial information
• allows you to know where you are in your environment and how close to objects you are.
• 3-4 objects, visual information

Question 5

Phonological loop

Answer 5

• split into two stores: articulatory loop and phonological store.
  Articulatory loop: inner voice, prepares speech internally, (voice in your head).
  Phonological store: inner ear, auditory rehearsal loop (hearing)
• 2 seconds, acoustic

Question 6

Episodic buffer

Answer 6

• Binds information together for storage in the long term memory. Limited capacity, all types information.

Question 7

+ Baddeley and hitch (1976)- two stores

Answer 7

• Gave participants two studies to do simultaneously.
  -Task 1: occupied central executive
  -Task 2: occupied the articulatory loop OR both the central executive AND the articulatory loop.
• found that doing tasks that involve the same component causes difficulty but when different components are used, performance is not effected.

Question 8

AO3 STRENGTHS

Answer 8

• kf was in a motorbike accident where his short term memory was impaired and he had a difficulty dealing with verbal information not visual. Suggests brain damage was restricted to the phonological loop, proving that there are different subsections of the STM with different functions and shows that the STM is not unitary as the model suggests.
• RWA dyslexia
• Baddeley and hitch: - Gave participants two studies to do simultaneously.
  -Task 1: occupied central executive
  -Task 2: occupied the articulatory loop OR both the central executive AND the articulatory loop.
• found that doing tasks that involve the same component causes difficulty but when different components are used, performance is not effected.

Question 9

AO3 weaknesses:

Answer 9

• the model suggests that spatial awareness is dependent on vision (visual information) BUT people born blind have in-tact spatial awareness. This suggests that the visual spatial sketch pad should be 2 sub stores, one for vision and one for spatial awareness.