Working Memory Model

Question 0

What does wmm claim (2 things)

Answer 0

• STM is not a unitary system but rather consists of a number of subsystems (slave systems) each with a particular task to carry out
• doesn’t consider rehearsal as a critical ellement

Question 1

What is wwm

Answer 1

The wwm was proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) as an elaborated model of STM.

‘Multi component, flexible system of STM’

Question 2

Dual task experiment (1976) Baddeley and Hitch

Answer 2

Participants had to rehearse some digit strings while carrying out a verbal task at the same time

They were able to remember 6 digit strings and perform well on the verbal task

Suggests STM consists of several components that can work Independently of eachother and can handle more than one task at a time

Question 3

Baddeley and Hitch proposed that wmm consists of …..

Answer 3

A central executive
Subsystems/ slave systems 
 -episodic buffer
 -viso-spatial scratchpad
 -phonological loop

Question 4

What does the central executive do.

Answer 4

• supervises the whole system
• decides which subsystem to send info to
• flexible
• limited capacity
• involved in problem solving, decision making and planning

Question 5

What does the Visio-spacial scratchpad do?

Answer 5

• deals with how Info is payed out
• manipulates information
• limited capacity

Question 6

What does the phonological loop do?

Answer 6

• stores acoustically coded information
• articulately control process
  
  • allows repetition of items keeping info alive in STM
• limited capacity

Question 7

What does the episodic buffer do?

Answer 7

• added to the model later (2000) to show how the model related to LTM
• integrates information and puts it into sequential order
• limited capacity

Question 8

Strengths of the model

Answer 8

• Credible alternative to msm explaining many psychology developments
• supported by dual task research
• evidence for all 4 components
• supporting evidence from brain damaged patients
• influential and scientific model
• as it was a lab experiment there is a clear ability to identify a causal relationship

Question 9

Weakness of the model

Answer 9

• Doesn’t explain central executive and what is does (a bit vague)
• unfalsifiable
• evidence from Brain damaged patients is by nature problematic
• research is lab based so lacks ecological validity
• only tries to explain STM and largely ignores the role of LTM