Working Memory Model

Question 1

What are the 4 main components of the working memory model?

Answer 1

1. Central executive
2. Phonological loop
3. Visuospatial sketchpad
4. Episodic buffer

Question 2

Give the features of the central executive.

Answer 2

1. Lim proc cap

2. Monitors + assigns tasks to 3 slave systems (epi buff, phono loop + vss)

Question 3

Give the features of the phonological loop.

Answer 3

1. Process auditory info
2. Divided into two:

• phonological store — words you hear
• articulatory process — maintenance reh of sounds + words (dur = 2 seconds)

Question 4

Give the features of the visuospatial sketchpad.

Answer 4

1. Proc vis + spatial info
2. Cap = up to 4 objects
3. Divided into:

• visual cache = visual data
• inner scribe = arrangement of objects in vis field

Question 5

Give the features of the episodic buffer.

Answer 5

1. Integrates vis + spatial + verbal info from other stores + time sequencing
2. Links WM to LTM
3. cap + 4 chunks

Question 6

What are 2 strengths of the working memory model?

Answer 6

1. Supp by res evid
   - Shallice + Warrington (1970) K.F case study
   - Damaged PL, intact VSS - better recall when allowed to read themselves than when read aloud to them
   - supports existence of sep STM stores
2. Supported by exp evid - Baddeley (1975) dual task
   - Ppts visual + verbal tasks simultaneously
   - Perf dec when both vis or both verb tasks b/c of competition in stores
   - t.f. must be separate stores.

Question 7

What are 2 weaknesses of the working memory model?

Answer 7

1. Supp is flawed
   - Unclear whether K.F had other cog imp that may have influenced findings
   - Compromises validity + reliability + generalisability of WMM
2. Lack of clarity over central exec
   - Needs more detail than just being “attention”
   - Unsatisfactory component - challenges integrity of WMM