Working Memory Model

Question 1

What is the working memory model?

Answer 1

The working memory model temporarily explains how information is temporarily stored and manipulated.

It challenges the idea that the short term memory is a unitary store

Question 2

What are the components of the Working Memory Model?

Answer 2

It involves the central executive, the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad and the episodic buffer.

Question 3

What is the central executive?

Answer 3

assigns tasks to slave systems, modality free, focuses, divides + switches our limited attention between tasks, limited capacity

Question 4

What is the phonological loop?

Answer 4

Temporarily stores verbal information for a limited period of time

Question 5

What are the two sub-components of the phonological loop and name their functions.

Answer 5

• The articulatory process allows for the rehearsal of verbal information through subvocalisation
• The phonological store holds auditory memories temporarily

Question 6

What is the visual-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 6

Temporarily stores visual and/or spatial information when required. For example, if you ask someone for directions you can briefly hold a visual map of your route in order to follow it.

Question 7

What are the component of the visual-spatial sketchpad and name their functions.

Answer 7

• The visual cache briefly stores visual data including the shape and form of objects (2D)
• The inner scribe records the arrangement of objects in the visual field (3D)

Question 8

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 8

Introduced in 2000.
Temporary store that integrates information from other subsystems.
The main function is that it maintains a sense of time sequencing and records events. It has a limited capacity of about 4 chunks of information.

Question 9

What is a strength of this model?

Answer 9

Evidence from case studies of brain damaged patients which support the idea of separate short-term memory stores.
Example: the case of KF by Shallice and Warrington
KF exhibited a digit span of 1, indicating a phonological store impairment, however his visual memory was intact.
Supports the idea that working memory has two subsystems.

Question 10

What is a weakness of this model?

Answer 10

Problems in specifying the precise functioning of the central executive
In Elsinger and Damasio’s case study, the brain damaged participant had great reasoning skills but poor decision making
Suggesting that the central executive may not be a single system.