working memory model Flashcards
What is the Working Memory Model (WMM)?
Proposed by Baddeley & Hitch (1974) as an alternative to the Multi-Store Model (MSM) to explain findings such as dual-task studies.
What is the role of the Central Executive in WMM?
Monitors and coordinates the slave systems, decides what we pay attention to, but has no storage capacity.
What is the role of the Phonological Loop?
Processes auditory information and preserves the order of information.
What are the two components of the Phonological Loop?
Phonological store (inner ear) - stores speech-based information; Articulatory control system (inner voice) - rehearses and refreshes information through silent repetition.
What is the capacity of the Phonological Loop?
Approximately 2 seconds’ worth of auditory information.
What is the role of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?
Handles visual and spatial information, such as visualizing images or navigating space.
What are the two components of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?
Visual cache - stores information about visual items (e.g., color and form); Inner scribe - stores spatial arrangement of objects.
What is the capacity of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?
Limited capacity; becomes overwhelmed with too much information.
What is the Episodic Buffer?
Added by Baddeley in 2000; integrates information from the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and LTM.
What is the capacity of the Episodic Buffer?
Approximately 4 chunks of information.
How does the WMM explain dual-task performance?
Tasks using different components (e.g., phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad) can be performed simultaneously without interference.
What happens when two tasks use the same component in WMM?
Performance deteriorates due to the limited capacity of that subsystem.
What is one strength of WMM supported by dual-task studies?
Baddeley & Hitch (1976) found participants could perform a verbal and a visual task simultaneously, showing separate memory components.
Why do dual-task studies support the WMM?
They show STM is divided into separate subsystems, rather than being a single store as in the MSM.
How does the WMM improve upon the MSM?
It recognizes STM is not unitary but consists of different subsystems for auditory, visual, and integrated information.
Why is the Central Executive a limitation of the WMM?
It is too vague and lacks a clear explanation of its functions.
How does the case of EVR challenge the Central Executive in WMM?
EVR had impaired planning but intact reasoning, suggesting the CE might consist of multiple components rather than a single unit.
What is a limitation of the WMM regarding LTM?
It does not explain how working memory transfers information to long-term memory.
Why does the WMM’s explanation of memory transfer to LTM fall short?
Although the episodic buffer links WM to LTM, the model does not clarify the mechanisms behind this transfer.
What is an overall strength of WMM compared to MSM?
It provides a more detailed and flexible explanation of short-term memory processes.
What is an overall limitation of WMM?
It focuses on working memory and does not fully explain the interaction between working memory and long-term memory.
