working memory model

Question 1

who proposed the working memory model?

Answer 1

Baddeley and Hitch (1974) proposed the working memory model, which explains how STM is organised and how it functions

Question 2

central executive

capacity? what does it do?

Answer 2

• monitors incoming data
• allocates slave systems to tasks (phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad)→ it has a very limited capacity
• Directs attention to tasks = decide what working memory pays attention to

Question 3

phonological loop

what is it? capacity? subdivided?

Answer 3

• temporary storage system which deals with auditory information and preserves the order in which the information arrives
• Limited capacity
• It is subdivided to:
• Phonological store (‘inner ear’): stores the words you hear
• Articulatory process (‘inner voice’): allows maintenance rehearsal (repeating sounds to keep them in working memory while they are needed)

Question 4

Visuo-spatial Sketchpad (VSS)

what is it? capacity? subdivided?

Answer 4

• stores visual and spatial information when required e.g. recalling how many windows your house has
• Limited capacity
  Logie (1995) subdivided the VSS into:
• Visual cache: stores visual data
• Inner scribe: records arrangement of objects in visual field

Question 5

episodic buffer

Answer 5

-This was later added in 2000; it is a temporary store for information (acts as a ‘backup’)
● It integrates visual, spatial, and verbal information from other stores
● Maintains sense of time sequencing - recording events that are happening
● Links to LTM