Working memory model

Question 1

Who came up with the working memory model?

Answer 1

Baddeley and Hitch

Question 2

What are the 4 main components of the working memory model?

Answer 2

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
VISUO-SPATIAL SKETCHPAD
EPISODIC BUFFER
PHONOLOGICAL LOOP

Question 3

What is the WMM?

Answer 3

An explanation of how STM functions

Question 4

How is the WMM different from MSM?

Answer 4

STM is non-unitary, with each component using different coding processes

Question 5

What does the central executive do?

Answer 5

Monitors incoming data, makes decisions, and allocates tasks to sub-systems

Question 6

What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad do?

Answer 6

Stores visual and spatial information - used for navigation or orientating

Question 7

What did LOGIE subdivide the visuo-spatial sketchpad into?

Answer 7

VISUAL CACHE
- stores visual data
INNER SCRIBE
- records arrangement of objects in the visual field

Question 8

What is the capacity of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 8

Limited to about 3 or 4 objects

Question 9

What does the episodic buffer do?

Answer 9

Temporarily stores information processed by other stores, sequencing them in time and acting as a link between STM and the wider processes of LTM/perception

Question 10

When was the episodic buffer added to the model?

Answer 10

2000

Question 11

What does the phonological loop do?

Answer 11

Deals with auditory information, coding it acoustically in the order in which it arrives

Question 12

What is the phonological loop subdivided into?

Answer 12

PHONOLOGICAL STORE
- stores the words you hear
ARTICULATORY CONTROL PROCESS
- allows maintenance rehearsal of verbal information, limited to 2 seconds

Question 13

What is the clinical evidence to support the WMM?

Answer 13

KF - brain damage patient who struggled with verbal information but not visual
= NON-UNITARY STM

Question 14

How did Baddeley prove the existence of separate components to process different info?

Answer 14

DUAL TASK PERFORMANCE
- ppts could carry out 2 tasks of DIFFERENT components significantly better than 2 tasks using the SAME component
= if a component has to carry out 2 tasks simultaneously, it slows down and makes mistakes SO separate systems must exist

Question 15

Why are brain damage case studies not 100% reliable?

Answer 15

They are unique

= hard to tell if the effect can be generalised or is specific to an individual

Question 16

How has the central executive been criticised?

Answer 16

LACK OF CLARITY

= cannot make conclusions, it may be non-unitary as well