Working Memory Model Flashcards
WMM
Baddeley and Hitch use it to explain how the STM is organised and functions.
4 aspects of it
central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, episodic buffer
CE
supervisory role monitoring incoming data, focuses and divides attention, allocates subsystems tasks, limited capacity, doesn’t store info
PL
deals with auditory info and preserves order it arrived. subdivided into phonological store (stores words heard) and articulatory process (allows for maintenance rehearsal i.e. inner voice). capacity is 2 secs worth what you can say
VSS
stores visual/spatial info. limited capacity of 3-4 objects. subdivided into visual cache (stores visual data) and inner scribe (records arrangement of objects in field) (Logie 1995)
EB
added in 2000. temporary store for info, integrating visual, spatial, and verbal info. maintains sense of time sequencing. storage component of CE with limited capacity of 4 chunks. links to LTM and wider cognitive processes e.g. perception
Strength (case study)
Research support - Shallice and Warrington (1970) KF had poor STM for auditory but not visual.
PL damaged by VSS intact showing at least two elements to STM coded differently. Gives validity
However, unclear if KF had other cognitive impairments, no control over variables.
Further research to support
Weakness
Lack clarity - Baddeley (2003) recognised CE is most important but least understood.
decrease in validity and credibility of model as challenges integrity of it.
However, step up from MSM as different aspects even if not understood.
Given increase in understanding but will need to get a more in depth idea so accurate.
Strength (dual tasks)
Research support - Baddeley et al (1975) when did two tasks verbal not done well.
Same tasks compete for same subsystem no competition when different so different systems within STM.
However, artificial so lacks mundane realism and ecological validity so not generalisable.
Everyday examples to support.
