Working memory model

Question 1

What does the working memory model explain?

Answer 1

The different components of short term memory

Question 2

What are the 4 parts which make up the working memory model?

Answer 2

Central executive
Visuo-spatial sketchpad
Phonological loop
Episodic buffer

Question 3

What is the central executive?

Answer 3

The ‘Boss’ of the model

It allocates slave systems, monitors incoming data and makes decisions

Question 4

What is the capacity of the central executive?

Answer 4

Very limited

Question 5

What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 5

Stores visual and spatial information

Question 6

What did Baddeley find the capacity of the visa-spatial sketchpad was? (2003)

Answer 6

3 to 4 objects

Question 7

What did Logie divide the visuo-spatial sketchpad into? (1995)

Answer 7

visual cache - stores visual data

Inner scribe - records arrangement of objects in visual field

Question 8

What is the phonological loop?

Answer 8

Asses the long term memory to store and retrieve information about long sounds and allows for development of vocabulary in children and foreign languages in adults

Question 9

How is auditory information split in the phonological loop when it arrives?

Answer 9

Articulatory control - allows maintenance rehearsal

Phonological store - stores the words you here

Question 10

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 10

Added by Baddeley (2000)
Temporary store which integrates the visual, spatial and verbal information processed by other stores
Links working memory with the Long term memory and other cognitive processes

Question 11

What are strengths of the working memory model?

Answer 11

• It replaced the multi-store memory model’s idea of one single unit for short term memory
• It explains a range of tasks
• Supported by evidence eg. Dual task studies
• Real life application - Reading is the phonological loop and problem solving is the central executive
• does not emphasise the role of rehearsal
• Able to be expanded upon. Eg Baddeley (2000)

Question 12

What evidence does the case of KF provide?

Answer 12

KF suffered brain damage after a motorcycle accident, resulting in a damaged short term memory. Their impairment was mainly verbal information, their visual memory was mainly unaffected, showing the different stores

Question 13

What are weaknesses of the working memory model?

Answer 13

• Little evidence for the role of the central executive, not a fully explained component
• It is not a full explanation of memory as it does not include long term memory
• It does not explain changes in processing ability that occur as a result of practice or time