Working memory model

Question 1

Central Executive

Answer 1

Controls and coordinates all components of working memory.

Monitors incoming information allocates tasks to other subsystems, and manages attention.

Limited capacity – can process one task at a time and cannot store information.

Question 2

Phonological Loop

Answer 2

Deals with auditory information and preserves the order of input.

Limited capacity (around 2 seconds) and key for verbal memory tasks.

Question 3

Phonological Loop

Phonological Store:
Articulatory Process:

Answer 3

Phonological Store: Holds sound information (e.g., spoken words).

Articulatory Process: Allows maintenance rehearsal (repeating words).

Question 3

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

Answer 3

Handles visual and spatial information.
Helps plan and manipulate visual tasks like remembering images, shapes, or layouts.

Question 4

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
Visual Cache:
Inner Scribe:

Answer 4

Visual Cache: Stores visual information (e.g., colour).

Inner Scribe: Deals with spatial arrangement and movement.

Question 5

Episodic Buffer

Answer 5

Added by Baddeley (2000) as a temporary storage system for integrating information.

Links information from the phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and long-term memory.

Maintains a sense of time sequencing (e.g., recalling a story in the correct order).

Has limited capacity but integrates and processes all types of information into a coherent episode.