Working Memory Model

Question 1

Working Memory Model

Answer 1

Suggested by Baddeley & Hitch (1974) who were among the first to challenge the view that STM is a single store
* working memory suggests that STM is not a single store, rather consists of a number of different stores

Question 2

Dual-task technique

Answer 2

The method of carrying out two tasks at once
* suggests there are separate stores for visual and auditory processing in memory
* perform two simultaneous auditory tasks less well than when done separately VS performing simultaneous auditory and visual tasks, participants had no problem

Question 3

Main characteristics of WMM

Answer 3

• Working memory is view as a mental workspace: provides a temporary platform for holding information needed for cognitive tasks
• Information disappears after use: once a task is complete, information quickly vanishes to make space for new processing

Question 4

Working Memory Model

Answer 4

Question 5

Central Executive

Answer 5

Attention control system that monitors and coordinates the operations of the sub-systems of processing and storage

Question 6

Functions of central executive (3)

Answer 6

Can focus attention
Divide attention between tasks
Switch attention between tasks

Question 7

Characteristics of central executive (2)

Answer 7

• Limited capacity: cannot handle a large amount of information simultaneously
• Can process any type of sensory information (auditory or visual)

Question 8

Two levels of attention

Answer 8

• Automatic level
• Supervisory attention level

Question 9

Automatic level attention

Answer 9

• Based on habits and schemas from long-term memory
• Triggered automatically by environmental stimuli
• Manages routine tasks (e.g., cycling) with minimal attention demand

Question 10

Supervisory attention level

Answer 10

• Handles planning and decision-making
• Creates new strategies when old ones fail
• Active in emergency situations and tasks requiring self-regulation
• Considers alternative actions and chooses the best one

Question 11

Phonological loop

Answer 11

Auditory component of STM and it is divided into two components

Question 12

Two components of phonological loop

Answer 12

• phonological store (inner ear)
• articulary control system or loop (inner voice)

Question 13

Phonological store (main function & explanation)

Answer 13

Holds auditory memory traces
* traces last 1.5 to 2 seconds unless rehearsed by articulatory control system
* receives info from sensory memory, LTM and articulatory CS

Question 14

Articulatory control system loop (main function & explanation)

Answer 14

Holds information in verbal form
* repeats info
* prepares words for cognitive tasks

Question 15

Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 15

Visual component of short-term memory (STM), also known as the inner eye
* temporary store for visual and spatial information from sensory memory or LTM
* charge of visual processing which involves the storage and manipulation of visual patterns and spatial movements in 2D or 3D

Question 16

Two parts of visuo-spatial sketchpad (by Logie (1955))

Answer 16

• Visual cache: stores static visual information (shapes, colours, patterns for short time)
• Inner scribe: tracks and processes spatial information like object locations and movements (helps with navigation and planning)

Question 17

What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad help with? (2)

Answer 17

• remembering what visual info is important
• remembering where objects are (navigation, spatial memory)

Question 18

Episodic buffer

Answer 18

Temporarily holds several sources of information active at the same time, while you consider what is needed in the present situation - auditory and visual information together, as well as information from LTM
* passive display store until information is needed
* limited capacity
* responsible for conscious awareness

Question 19

Strengths of WMM (name 3)

Answer 19

• supported by considerable experimental evidence
• brain scans show different area of brain is active when carrying out verbal task than visual tasks
• case studies in brain damage support there is more than one STM store
• helps us understand why we are able to multitask in some situations and not others

Question 20

Limitations of WMM (name 3)

Answer 20

• role of central executive is unclear - suggested that it has its own limited capacity but impossible to measure this separately from capacity of phonological loop and visual sketchpad
• how various components of the model interact is not yet clear
• model only explains STM and tells little about processes involving LTM
• does not explain memory distortion or role of emotion in memory formation

Question 21

Similarities between MSMM and WMM (4)

Answer 21

• both argue rehearsal is necessary for transfer from STM to LTM
• neither explains memory distortion
• neither explains role of emotion in memory
• both agree STM is limited in capacity and duration

Question 22

Differences between MSMM and WMM (4)

Answer 22

• WMM argues STM is not just one store but a number of different stores
• WMM focuses only on STM
• WMM explains how/why we can multitask in some cases
• WMM argues different modalities are processed differently (visual/spatial vs auditory)