M - The Working Memory Model

Question 1

why was the WMM made

Answer 1

as the multi store of memory model was too simplistic and could not account for everything we know about memory

Question 2

what did Baddeley and Hitch say

Answer 2

the STM must have more than one component nd be involved in other processes than just storage

Question 3

what does the WMM say

Answer 3

that 2 tasks can be carried out simultaneously in the STM provided they are dealt with by different parts

Question 4

what does the WMM break down into

Answer 4

• central executive
• phonological loop
• visuospatial sketchpad
• episodic buffer (later)

Question 5

what does the phonological loop break down into

Answer 5

• primary acoustic store
• articulatory process

Question 6

what is the role of the central executive

Answer 6

• the control unit
• coordinates activity needed to carry out more than one process at a time
• processes all sensory forms

Question 7

what is the role of the articulatory process (inner voice)

Answer 7

• words are maintained by subvocal repetition
• produces speech
• limited capacity

Question 8

what is the role of the primary acoustic store

Answer 8

• temporary storage for recently heard words
• perceives speech
• limited capacity

Question 9

what is the role of the visuospatial sketchpad

Answer 9

• writing pad for visual data
• helps you interact and navigate your physical environment
• limited capacity

Question 10

why was the original model of the WMM criticised

Answer 10

only focussed on the STM
- added the episodic buffer in 2000

Question 11

what is the role of the episodic buffer

Answer 11

introduced to explain how we temporarily sotre information combined from
- central executive
- phonological loop
- visuospatial sketchpad
- LTM

Question 12

evidence for the WMM (Logie, 1989)

Answer 12

M: pts play a game and at the same time have a visuospatial task or verbal distractor task
R: VS task impaired performance of spatial motor, VM task disrupted verbal elements of the game
C: demonstrates that each part has its own role

Question 13

strengths of WMM

Answer 13

• extremely influential to many cognitive psychologists
• more plausible than the MSMM
• useful the help the understanding of learning differences

Question 14

weaknesses of WMM

Answer 14

• exact role of central executive is unclear
• research is generated/artificial tasks
• if affects children’s learning of phonics in school