Working Memory Model Flashcards
What are the differences between the Multi Store Model and the Working Memory Model?
WMM-
shows that stm is not just one single process
working memory as an active processor
Why did Baddely+ Hitch develop the Working Memory Model
-They argued that the MSM was too simple
- It stemmed from dual experiments- 1 visual 1 verbal with no interference
- 2 verbal or visual- perform less well than if you do them separately
What are the systems of the Working Memory Model
- Central Executive
- Phonoligical Loop
- Visuo spatial sketchpad
- Episodic buffer
all links to Long Term Memory
What is the role of the central executive in the WMM
- main compent of the WMM
- decides what we pay attention to- importance
- modality free- all senses
- controls the other 3 systems
- no storage capacity
What is the role of the phonological loop
-processes acoustically coded information
- split into 2 subsystems- phonological store and articulatory control system
- phonological store- inner ear- hold words recently heard
- articulatory control system- inner voice- holds information via sub-vocal repetition
What is the role of the episodic buffer
- introduced by Baddelley in 2000
- gives model a place to store and integrate information
- maintains a sense of time frequency
- limited capacity
-four chunks
What is the role of the visuo-spatial sketchpad
-processes visually and spatially coded information
- thought of as the inner eye
- visual cache- passive store of form and colour
- inner scribe- records the arrangements of objects in the visual field (where something is)
Evaluation of WMM - Clinical Evidence
- Model is supported by patients with brain damage.
-KF who suffered a brain injury during a motorcycle accident could remember little digits when read aloud (verbal), but had no issues with recall when the words were written down. (visual). Suggests that KF’s phonological loop was damaged but his visuo spatial sketchpad remained intact.
-Strength - provides real life evidence for existence of separate visual and auditory stores in the STM.
Evaluation of WMM - Dual Task Experiments
-Supported by dual task experiments.
-Baddeley et al asked participants to track a light whilst imagining block capital letters. (two visual tasks). Found that participants did significantly worse than when they were asked to track a light and do a verbal task. Suggests that the 2 verbal tasks increased difficulty is due to both visual tasks competing for the same slave system. where has doing a verbal and a visual at the same time there is no competition.
- Strength - supports idea of separate slave systems for processing visual and audible information.
Evaluation of WMM - Musical Memory
-Cannot account for musical memory.
-Berz found that participants could listen to instrumental music without impairing performance on other acoustic tasks. Suggests that 2 auditory tasks can be completed at the same time despite the WMM stating that this is not possible as they use the same store
-Weakness - according to WMM we would expect participants to be unable to complete both tasks as they use the same store, undermining a key component of the WMM.
Evaluation of WMM - Lack of Clarity over Central Executive
-Central executive is described weakly and does not really explain anything.
-All we know is that the CE is the boss of the system and divides attention. Suggests that more research needs to be conducted into the WMM for us to understand how the component works fully.
-Weakness - questions the usefulness of one of the main parts of the model.
