Working Memory Model Flashcards
What connects to Long Term Memory (LTM) in the Working Memory Model?
Working Memory (WAM) connects to the LTM but LTM isn’t a part of it.
What is the main component of the Working Memory Model?
Central Executive
Controls all other stores and decides what we selectively pay attention to.
What can the Central Executive do?
It can coordinate activity needed to carry out more than one task at a time (multitasking).
What is the capacity of the Working Memory?
There is no storage capacity; it can only pay attention to a limited amount of stimuli.
What is Slave System 1 in the Working Memory Model?
Phonological Loop
Temporary storage for holding acoustic (auditory) information.
What are the two subdivisions of the Phonological Loop?
- Phonological store (inner ear)
- Articulatory process (inner voice)
Phonological store rehearses sounds; articulatory process silently repeats words.
What is the capacity of the Phonological Loop?
2 seconds worth of information.
What is Slave System 2 in the Working Memory Model?
Visuospatial Sketchpad
Stores and manipulates visual and spatial information.
What are the two subdivisions of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?
- Visual cache
- Inner scribe
Visual cache stores visual information; inner scribe deals with spatial and movement information.
What is the capacity of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?
3-4 objects.
What is the Episodic Buffer?
The Episodic Buffer is a component added to the model in 2000 to explain results of various experiments. It acts as a general store that communicates with both the long-term memory (LTM) and components of working memory.
It integrates visual, spatial, and verbal information processed by other stores and maintains a sense of time.
What is the coding capacity of the Episodic Buffer?
The coding of the Episodic Buffer is multimodal and its capacity is limited to approximately 4 chunks.
What is Dual Task Performance?
Dual Task Performance refers to the ability to do two tasks simultaneously, typically one verbal and one visual, but not two of the same type, such as two verbal tasks.
This suggests there is a separate store for visual processing and a separate store for auditory processing.
What was the purpose of Baddeley’s experiment?
To evaluate the working memory model by comparing performance in two different conditions.
What were the two conditions in Baddeley’s experiment?
Condition 1: Participants tracked a light while imagining block capital letters.
Condition 2: Participants tracked a light while completing a verbal task.
What were the findings of Baddeley’s experiment?
Participants performed significantly better in Condition 2 because it involved one visual and one verbal task, making it easier to dual task.
Why did participants perform better in Condition 2?
Condition 2 used two different stores (phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad), while Condition 1 overloaded the visuo-spatial sketchpad with two visual tasks.
What is a strength of the working memory model according to Baddeley’s research?
There is evidence to support it, as shown by Baddeley’s experiment demonstrating that STM has more than one component.
How does the working memory model apply to ADHD?
Individuals with ADHD have impaired working memory, indicating a smaller capacity compared to those without ADHD.
What practical applications arise from the working memory model for teachers?
Teachers can implement strategies to reduce the amount of information presented to students with ADHD, such as providing verbal and written instructions.
