M4. Working Memory Model

Question 1

WMM

Answer 1

• central executive: limited capacity; allocates tasks to ‘slave systems’
• phonological loop: processes auditory info
• visuo-special sketch pad: combines visual and spacial information to give ‘full picture’ (e.g. recalling a journey from one place to another). Divided into ‘inner scribe’ and ‘visual cache’. VSS capacity 4 - 5 chunks (Baddley)
• episodic buffer: ‘storage’ for CE; links STM to LTM; collates all data (auditory, visual, spacial)

Question 2

• Eval: Central Executive not precisely defined

Answer 2

• only ONE store; potential sub-components, or be part of larger component in working memory
• lack of comprehensive explanation of each component of the WMM reduces its validity as a model

Question 3

+ Eval: Patient KF

Answer 3

• poor STM recall for auditory stimuli
• increased STM recall for visual stimuli
• suggests SEPARATE components process memory
• e.g. Phonological loop and Visuo-spacial sketchpad

Question 4

+ Eval: Neuroscanning Evidence

Answer 4

• Braver et al
• positive correlation: increasing cognitive load processed by CE (task difficulty); and increased PFC activation
• supports idea of limited processing capacity of CE (reflected by increased brain activation levels)
• WMM is accurate in mechanism of CE