Working memory Model

Question 1

What is the central executive of the WMM?

Answer 1

Has a ‘supervisory’ role and directs attention to particular tasks.
It allocates tasks to the various subsystems.

Question 2

What is the Visuo-spatial sketch of the WMM?

Answer 2

Visual and/ or spatial information is shared here - Inner Eye
This is used when you have to plan (visualise) a spatial task.

Question 3

What did Logie (1995) suggest?

Answer 3

He suggested subdivision of the Visuo- spatial sketchpad:
-> Visuocache (store)
-> Innerscribe (for spatial relations)

Question 4

What is the Phonological loop of the WMM?

Answer 4

Deals with auditory information and preserves word order - Inner Ear.
Further subdivided into the Articulatory process (silently repeating words you hear - inner voice) and Phonological store (holds words you hear - inner ear).

Question 5

What is the Episodic buffer of the WMM?

Answer 5

This enables the central executive to access information in the LTM and integrate it with information in the other systems.
It helps create a mental episode of what is experienced, and maintains a sense of time sequencing.
Badeley added this in 2000 as he realised the WMM needed a more general store.

Question 6

What is CAPACITY for Central executive?

Answer 6

Very limited capacity

Question 7

What is CODING for Central executive?

Answer 7

It can code information from my source (modality free)

Question 8

What is CAPACITY for Visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 8

Limited to 3-4 objects

Question 9

What is CODING for Visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 9

Involves holding visual and spatial information (visual coding)

Question 10

What is CAPACITY for Phonological Loop?

Answer 10

Has very limited capacity

Question 11

What is CODING for Phonological Loop?

Answer 11

Stores speech-based sounds (acoustic coding)
Coding is auditory

Question 12

What is DURATION for Phonological Loop?

Answer 12

Approximately 2 seconds

Question 13

What is CAPACITY for Episodic buffer?

Answer 13

Limited to about 4 chunks

Question 14

What is CODING for Episodic buffer?

Answer 14

Coding is modality free

Question 15

Why was the Episodic buffer criticised?

Answer 15

Criticised for not giving a full explanation.
Just an ‘add on’

Question 16

Give a strength of the WMM:

Answer 16

1) Dual task experiments support the WMM… there must be separate subsystems.
2) Brain scans… Cohen (1997).
3) KF case study… poor sound-based STM (phonological loop) but normal STM for visual information (visuospatial sketchpad). Supports idea of separate parts of the STM.

Question 17

Give a WEAKNESS of the WMM:

Answer 17

1) WMM doesn’t give enough information on how the central executive allocated resources. Too vague to suggests it’s ‘attention’, and explains the role adequately.
2) WMM suggests one central executive, but there’s evidence of several components.. EVR cerebral tumour removed. Good reasoning (CE intact) but poor decision-making skills (CE not wholly intact). Central executive more complex than a single entity proposed by Badeley and Hitch