Working Memory Model (WMM)

Question 1

Who was the WMM created by

Answer 1

Baddeley and Hitch

Question 2

What are the different components of the WMM

Answer 2

• Central execuative
• Phonological loop
• Episodic buffer
• Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Question 3

What is the function of the Central execuative

Answer 3

Acts as an attentional process, monitering incoming infomation and allocating tasks to the relevent ‘slave systems’

Question 4

Encoding and capacity of the Central executive

Answer 4

encoding - modality free
capacity - limited

Question 5

Evidence for the central executive

Answer 5

Bunge (2000) - Used fmri to see which parts of the brain were modt active when pps were doing 2 different activitied or each task seperatly. Same brain areas active during single and dual tasks. But more activation was shown during dual tasks. Suggesting CE may play a role in focusing attention on tasks.

Question 6

What is the function of the visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 6

Stored both visual and spatial infomation and is responsible for setting up and manipulating mental images.

Question 7

What are the two sub sections of the visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 7

-Inner scribe helps to mentally manipulate images and judge spatial relationships
-Visual chache helps to store visual infomation about form and colour

Question 8

Encoding and capacity of the Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 8

encoding - visual
capacity - limited

Question 9

Research evidence for the visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 9

Brookes (1968) pps asked to mentally visualises a letter then asked if it had right angels. 3 ways of replying : speaking aloud , tapping or pointing to a yes or no. Pps were faster at replying when responding verbally or tapping.Suggesting the VSS only has a limited capacity as pointing and visualising both require the VSS.

Question 10

What is the function of the phonological loop

Answer 10

Deals with auditory infomation and preserves word order

Question 11

What are the two components of the phonological loop

Answer 11

• Phonological store stores words heard
• Articulatory process silengtly repeating words looped

Question 12

What is the encoding and capacity for the phonological loop

Answer 12

encoding - acoustic
capacity - limited

Question 13

Research support for the phonological loop

Answer 13

Baddley (1975) pps recalled more short words in serial order than longer words, supporting the idea that the capacity of the PL is set by how long it takes to say words rather than the actual number. This supports a limited capacity for the phonological loop.

Question 14

What is the episodic buffers function

Answer 14

Acts as an extra storgae syatem but with a limited capacity. It intergartes infomation from all other areas and sends and recieves infomation from the LTM.

Question 15

What is the encoding and capacity of the episodic buffer

Answer 15

encoding - modality free
capacity - limited

Question 16

Supporting research for the episodic buffer

Answer 16

Alkhaltz (2009) patient with a severly impared LTMdemonstrated a STM capacity of up to 25 items. This exceedes the capacity for both the PL and the VSS. This suggests the existance of the episodic buffer that seems to hold items in WMM untill they are recalled.