working memory model

Question 1

working memory model

Answer 1

a representation of short-term memory

suggests STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using subunits co-ordinated by a central decision-making system

Question 2

central executive

Answer 2

component of working memory model that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems in memory

allocates processing resources to those activities

focuses and divides out limited attention and allocates subsystems to tasks

Question 3

phonological loop

Answer 3

component of the working memory mode that processes information in terms of sound

this includes both written and spoken material - divided into phonological store and articulatory process

phonological store - stores words you hear

articulatory processes - allows maintenance rehearsal

Question 4

visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 4

the component of the working memory model that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space - inner eye
limited capacity of 3/4 - baddeley

visual cache - stores visual data

inner scribe - records arrangement of objects

Question 5

episodic buffer

Answer 5

component of the working memory model - bring together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands

provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory

added to model by Baddeley in 2000

temporary store - integrating visual, spatial and verbal

limited capacity of four chunks - Baddeley

Question 6

clinical evidence

Answer 6

P - strength - Shallice and Warrington - case study KF
E - KF - poor STM for auditory but could process visual informatoin
E - reading but not read to - phonological loop was damaged
L - strongly supports the existence of separate visual and acoustic memory stores

P - unclear whether KF had other cognitive impairments
E - trauma from injury might affect his performance on memory tasks
E - trauma involved may have affected his cognitive performance quite apart from any brain injury
L - challenges evidence that comes from clinical studies of brain injuries - may have affected many different systems

Question 7

dual-task performance

Answer 7

P - strength - studies of dual-task performance support the separate existence of visuo-spatial sketchpad
E - Baddeley et al - participant carried out visual and verbal tasks at same time - performance was similar - when two visual or two verbal - performance decline substantially
E - both visual tasks compete for the same subsystem
L - shows there must be a separate subsystem that processes visual input

Question 8

nature of the central executive

Answer 8

P - limitation is lack of clarity over nature of central executive
E - Baddeley - the CE is most important but least understood component of working memory
E - needs to be more specified than just simply attention
L - CE is an unsatisfactory component and this challenges the integrity of WMM