Chapter 2.4 - The working memory model

Question 1

What is the working memory model?

Answer 1

A representation of short-term memory
- Suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using subunits co-ordinated by a central decision-making system

Question 2

Draw the working memory model

Answer 2

:)

Question 3

What is the central executive?

Answer 3

The component of the WMM that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems in memory. It also allocated processing resources to those activities
- Top hat

Question 4

What is the phonological loop?

Answer 4

The component of the WMM that processes information in terms of sound. It’s divided into the phonological store(words/sounds) and the articulatory process(allows words/sounds to be repeated/maintenance rehearsal)

Question 5

What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Answer 5

The component of WMM that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our ‘inner eye’
- imagining the front door

Question 6

What are the two parts of the VSS and what do they do?

Answer 6

1. Visual cache: stores visual information
2. Inner scribe: stores the position/spatial relationship between visual objects

Question 7

What is the episodic buffer?

Answer 7

The component of the WMM that brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands. It also provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory

Question 8

Why was the working memory model created?

Answer 8

• To address the problems in the MSM
• The MSM sees STM as a unitary store
• But research indicated that this was an inaccurate view of STM

Question 9

What is a strength of the WMM? (clinical evidence)

Answer 9

• KF had poor STM ability for auditory (sound) information but could process visual information normally
• Immediate recall of letters and digits was better when he read them (visual) than when they were read to him (acoustic)
• His phonological loop was damaged but his visuo-spatial sketchpad was intact
• Strongly supports the existence of separate visual and acoustic memory stores

Question 10

What is a counterpoint for clinical evidence?

Answer 10

• It is unclear whether KF had other cognitive impairments apart from damage to his PL which might’ve affected his performance on the memory tasks
• The trauma involved from the motorcycle may have affected his cognitive performance
• Challenges evidence that comes from clinical studies

Question 11

What is a strength of the WMM? (dual-task performance)

Answer 11

• Studies of dual-task performance supports the separate existence of the visuo-spatial sketchpad
• When Baddeley’s participants carried out a visual and verbal task at the same time, their performance on each was similar to when they carried out the tasks separately
• When both tasks were visual/verbal, performance on both declines substantially
• Because both visual tasks compete for the same subsystem(VSS)
• There is no competition when performing a verbal and visual task together
• Shows that there must be a separate subsystem that processes visual input, VSS, and one for verbal processing, PL

Question 12

What is a limitation of the WMM? (lack of clarity over the nature of the CE)

Answer 12

• Baddeley recognised that the CE is the most important but the least understood component of working memory
• CE needs to be more clearly specified
• Some psychologists believe that the CE may consist of separate sub components
• CE is an unsatisfactory component
• Challenges the integrity of the WMM

Question 13

What is another evaluation of the WMM? (validity)

Answer 13

• Lacks validity
• Dual-task studies aren’t everyday memory tasks: lack application
• Carried out in highly-controlled lab conditions: lack generalisability