Working Memory Model Flashcards
What is the Working memory Model?
A representation of the STM- the part of the mind that is active when we are temporarily storing and manipulating information
Name the four main components of the WMM?
- Central executive
- Phonological loop
- Visuo-spacial sketchpad
- Episodic buffer
What is the role of the Central executive?
It has a supervisory function and directs attention from the slave systems
What is the role of the phonological loop?
the component of the WMM that processes information in terms of sound (both written and spoken)
What are the two slave systems of the phonological loop?
- Articulatory control system (inner voice)- keeps info in PL through vocal repetition and is linked to speech
- phonological store- (inner ear)- stores words recently heard for a short period of time
what is the role of the visuo-spacial sketchpad?
The component of the WMM that processes visual and spatial information in the mental space (inner eye)
What are the two slave systems of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?
- Inner scribe- handles spatial relationships
- Visual cache- processes visual information about form and colour of an object
What is the role of the episodic buffer?
Binds and integrates information form all over the other components and sends it to the LTM
What is the Articulatory control system known as?
‘Inner voice’
What is the Phonological loop known as?
‘Inner ear’
What is the visuospatial sketchpad known as?
‘inner eye’
What are the strength of the WMM?
Evidence from brain damaged patients- Some people with brain damage find visual information easier to process than auditory. Shallice and warrington (1970) studied KF and found that he had difficulty processing sounds (verbal- phonological loop) but could recall digits and letters (visual- visuo-spacial sketchpad).
counter- case studies are investigating unique individuals, often extreme or rare situations making it difficult to generalise to wider population
Dual-task performance- support for separate components in the visuo-spacial sketchpad. Badly et al. (1975) revealed the existence of visual cache and inner scribe within the VSS.
What are the weaknesses of the WMM?
Problems with brain injury patients- The process of brain injury is traumatic, which may in itself change behaviour so that a person performs worse on certain tasks. In addition, individuals may have other difficulties, such as difficulty paying attention, and that is why they underperform on certain tasks.
Central executive too vague- Critics feel the notion of a single central executive is wrong and that there are probably several components. Eslinger and Damasio (1985) studied EVR who had a cerebral tumour removed. He performed well on tests requiring reasoning, which suggested that his central executive was intact.
