The Working Model Of Memory Flashcards
Who argued that STM is much more complex than a ‘stopping off’ point for info on its way to LTM?
Baddeley and Hitch
What year did Baddeley and Hitch suggest the working model of memory?
1974
What are the components of the WMM?
Visual-spatial scratch pad Central executive Episodic buffer Phonological store Articulately loop Primary acoustic store
What is the central executive?
This system is in OVERALL CHARGE and allocates info to the other subsystems
What memory store does working memory model explain?
STM
The central executive is very flexible, how does it process info?
In any sensory modality (MODALITY FREE)
The central executive can hold and manipulate info, what is its capacity?
LIMITED
The Visio-spatial scratch pad holds and manipulates what kind of info?
VISUAL and SPATIAL info
The Visio-spatial scratch pad relies on a VISUAL CODE, such as what?
Shape size and colour
What does the VISUAL COMPONENT DEAL WITH?
OBJECTS and FEATURES such as shape and colour
What form does the visual component hold info in?
Holds visual info from verbal stimuli I.e the appearance of letters
What does the spatial component help with?
Helps us to MONITOR where we are in relation to OTHER OBJECTS as we move around our ENVIRONMENT
What is the effect of limited capacity on the VS scratchpad?
It is difficult for us to perform several VS tasks at the same time
What is the phonological store responsible for?
Processing SOUND based info
What are the two sub-components of the phonological store?
The ARTICULATORY LOOP (the inner voice)
The PRIMARY ACOUSTIC STORE (the inner ear)
Who conducted a study to test the capacity of the central exec?
Hunt
When did Hunt conduct his study?
1980
Describe the ARTICULATORY loop
Limited capacity VERBAL REHEARSAL LOOP used to prepare speech and to think in words as when doing mental arithmetic or memorising info
Describe the primary acoustic store
Receives sound based info directly from the environment.
Relies on an ACOUSTIC CODE
Has a LIMITED CAPACITY and holds MEMORY TRACES for a few seconds before they fade
What was the aim of Hunt’s 1980 study?
The investigate whether there is evidence for a LIMITED CAPACITY CENTRAL EXEC.
What was the method of Hunt’s 1980 study?
P’s performed a PSYCHOMOTOR TASK - guiding a LEVER between POSTS with only their THUMB and INDEX FINGER.
At same time, completed an INTELLIGENCE TEST consisting of SPATIAL PATTERNS
What were the results of Hunt’s 1980 study?
As the problems became MORE DIFFICULT, PERFORMANCE on the PSYCHOMOTOR TASK DETERIORATED
What did Hunt conclude from his 1980 study?
BOTH tasks were using the same CENTRAL PROCESSOR and both were COMPETING for the same LIMITED CAPACITY