The Working Memory Model

Question 1

who developed this model?

Answer 1

Baddeley & Hitch

Question 2

why was this model created?

Answer 2

the MSM model did not account for how we process everyday tasks like writing and answering questions

Question 3

components of the model (5)

Answer 3

• central executive
• visuo-spatial sketchpad
• phonological loop
• episodic buffer
• long term memory

Question 4

slave systems (3)

Answer 4

• visuo-spatial sketchpad
• phonological loop
• episodic buffer

Question 5

central executive

Answer 5

• control system

coding: any sensory code
capacity: limited

Question 6

visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 6

• stores and processes information in a visual and spatial form

coding: visual & spatial
capacity: limited

Question 7

phonological loop

Answer 7

• deals with spoken & written material

coding: verbal & speech
capacity: limited

Question 8

2 parts of the phonological loop

Answer 8

phonological store: linked to speech perception

articulatory control process: linked to speech production

Question 9

episodic buffer

Answer 9

• integrates information from the other slave systems
• retrieves and stores info from/to the LTM

coding: all in one code
capacity: limited

Question 10

implication & application of dual task research

Answer 10

• it is easier to complete tasks which use different slave systems at the same time
• don’t listen to music with lyrics while studying, as both tasks use the phonological loop

Question 11

evidence for WMM - brain scans

Answer 11

• brain scans show that different areas of the brain light up when carrying out visual/verbal tasks
• supports the idea that different areas of memory are used for different tasks

Question 12

evidence for WMM - case study of K.F

Answer 12

• after a motorbike accident, his memory for verbal information was impaired but memory of visual information was unaffected
• shows that there are separate components for visual/verbal information

Question 13

evidence for WMM - studies

Answer 13

• there are many studies which support the WMM
• especially dual task studies

Question 14

weakness of WMM - blindness

Answer 14

• blind people have excellent spatial awareness despite having no vision
• some argue that the visuo-spatial sketchpad should be split into two

Question 15

weakness of WMM - unscientific

Answer 15

• there is little scientific evidence for the central executive and what it does
• since the concept of the central executive is so vague, it is difficult to test and is unfalsifiable

Question 16

weakness of WMM - changes in processing ability

Answer 16

• the WMM does not explain changes in processing ability that occur due to time or practice