Working Memory Model

Question 1

Describe the Central Executive (WMM)

Answer 1

Most complex part
Deals with all tasks that require attention
Coordinates 2 separate tasks
Supervisory Role
Deals with all types of info (visual, auditory, haptic etc)

Limited capacity

Question 2

Describe the Visuo-Spatial Sketchbook (WMM)

Answer 2

Deals with visual and spatial info
Right hemisphere of brain
Info represented as visual
Can be from observing images or retrieving them from LTM

Limited Capacity (Around 3-4 objects)

Question 3

Describe the Phonological Loop (WMM)

Answer 3

The main function is learning language

Contains:

• Articulatory Loop
• primary Acoustic Store

Question 4

Describe the Articulatory Loop (WMM)

Answer 4

• Used to rehearse sub-vocally (eg remembering phone numbers by repeating them in your head)
• The main function is reading
• Deals with the articulation of verbal material
• Represented as it would be said
• Explains articulatory suppression

-Word Length Effect (capacity limited to how much can be said in 2 seconds)

Question 5

Describe the Primary Acoustic Store (WMM)

Answer 5

• Deals with the tone, pitch, volume of verbal info
• Explains auditory processing
• 2 tasks can’t be done at the same time - explains articulatory suppression
• Word Length Effect (capacity limited to how much can be said in 2 seconds)

Question 6

2 strengths of the Working Memory Model

Answer 6

Baddeley et al - found that the memory span for short words was larger than for longer words. Supports the word length effect.

Baddeley and Lieberman - did an experiment with 3 conditions (no concurrent tasks, a concurrent visual task and a concurrent spatial task). there were serious effects on the concurrent tasks, supporting visuospatial sketchbook processes this info and can only do one task at a time.

Question 7

2 weaknesses of the Working Memory Model

Answer 7

Levy - gave ppts a series of visually presented sentences to read while engaging in articulatory suppression. Did not affect the ability to remember the general gist of sentence but did affect the memory of the precise wording. therefore articulatory loop is not needed to extract meaning when reading.

Lieberman - criticises WMM as it implies that spatial and visual info are linked but blind people have great spatial awareness. Argued they should be separate stores.