working memory model Flashcards
components
explanation of the short term memory and its stores and functions
CENTRAL EXCECUTIVE- supervisory role overseeing all information that reaches the stm divides limited attention and allocates sub sections a task.
PHONOLOGICAL LOOP- containing the phonological store and the articulatory process
phonological store contains words heard
articulatory process allows maintenance rehearsal repeating words in a loop for approx 2secs
VISIO SPATIAL SKETCH PAD-stores visual and spatial information subdivided into visual cashe stores the visual data
inner scribe stores the placement of objects in a visual field
EPISODIC BUFFER- temporary store for information recording events limited capacity of around 4 chunks
evaluation (positive)
support from Shallice and Warrington study of KF
Had a poor stm ability for auditory info but a good visual processor in the stm
This shows that his phonological loop was damaged and his visual sketch pad was intact supporting the existance of these stores.
HOWEVER unclear whether KF had any othe cognitive impairments which may have affected his performance on memory tasks the trauma involved in his accident may have cognitively affected his memory testing.
Dual task performance support existence of Visio spatial sketch pad v baddlely made participants carry out a visual and verbal task at the same time the performance of each was similar because some at separate times but when done at the same time performance on both declined substantially because both visual tasks compete for the same subsystems no competition when performing verbal and visual together
HOWEVER not ecologically I valid because unlike the tasks we perform in everyday life
evaluation (negative)
Lack of clarity over the nature of the central executive
Baddley recognised this when he said the central executive is the most important but the least understood component of the mm needs to be more clearly specified than just being simply attention some psychologists believe the central executive may consist of superset subcomponents
This unexplainable component challenges the integrity of the wmm
The tasks asked to be performed in dual tasking are highly controlled lab conditions which do not replicate everyday life
Research
Shallice and Warrington study of KF
- couldn’t immediately recall words presented verbally
- could immediately recall stimuli presented visually
- this suggested he has an impaired articulately loop but an intact visio spatial sketch pad
- supports that the stm has multiple stores
Gather Cole and Baddeley
- lab study
- one group had to follow a moving light (using visio spatial sketch pad) while also describing the angles on a letter (also using visio spatial sketch pad)
- other group given second task using the phonological loop verbal task whilst following the light.
- researchers found that group using separate systems performed far better at tasks.
