The Working Memory Model

Question 1

What is the Working Memory Model?

Answer 1

Central Executive
↗️ ⬆️ ↖️
↙️ ⬇️ ↘️
Visuospatial Sketch pad Episodic Phonological Loop
Buffer Articulatory Control System⬇️
Phonological Store ⬆️
↖️ ⬆️ ↗️
↘️ ⬇️ ↙️
Long Term Memory

Question 2

Describe the Working Model of Memory (4 marks)

Answer 2

The Working Memory Model assumes that short-term memory is an active processor of information and that it is split into different components which store and process different types of information. Firstly, the Central Executive processes all sensory information which is then assigned to the appropriate slave system, being the Visuospatial Sketchpad if visual such as colours or shapes, the Phonological Loop if auditory which will then be processed by the Articulatory Control system or the Phonological store depending on whether the sound was heard or verbally repeated. Finally, the Episodic Buffer will process and store all the other types of sensory information. From the slave systems, information can then be transferred into the long-term memory. However, both slave systems have a limited capacity of one piece of information at any one time, this consequently provides support to the idea of dual-tasks. A dual-task performance can be carried out if the two pieces of information use different slave systems, although this may be impaired if the pieces of information require the use of the same slave system.

Question 3

Why was the Working Memory Model created?

Answer 3

Baddeley created the Working Memory Model to explain short-term memory and how it functions. Baddeley created the WMM to account for the different components and complex processes within the memory stores that were missed in the simplistic Multi Store Model of Memory.

Question 4

What are the assumptions of the Working Memory Model?

Answer 4

The Working Memory Model:
Viewed Short term memory as an active processor of information
The WMM consists of several components which work independently of one another
It is possible to complete two tasks using different systems (dual-task performance)
If two tasks use the same system it is difficult to complete both tasks, therefore performance of one or both tasks is impaired.

Question 5

What is the main purpose of the Central Executive?

Answer 5

Processes all sensory information and assigns it to be processed by the slave system.

Question 6

What is the main purpose of the Phonological Loop?

Answer 6

A temporary storage system which processes auditory information- subdivided into two stores:
Phonological Store- which stores hearing
Articulatory Process- Rehearses words

Question 7

What is the main purpose of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?

Answer 7

This is responsible for dealing with spatial and visual information.
Visual Cache- visual data (colour)
Inner Scribe- Records the arrangement of objects and transfers information to the central executive.

Question 8

What is the main purpose of the Episodic Buffer?

Answer 8

Processes all information and places it into one memory.

Question 9

What is the capacity of the Central Executive?

Answer 9

Large capacity (all sensory information)

Question 10

What is the capacity of the Phonological Loop?

Answer 10

One piece of information at any one time.

Question 11

What is the capacity of the Visuospatial Sketchpad?

Answer 11

One piece of information at any one time.

Question 12

What is the capacity of the Episodic Buffer?

Answer 12

Large capacity

Question 13

What information does the central executive encode for?

Answer 13

Sensory information

Question 14

What information does the phonological loop encode for?

Answer 14

Auditory information

Question 15

What information does the Visuospatial Sketchpad encode for?

Answer 15

Visual information

Question 16

What information does the episodic buffer encode for?

Answer 16

Iconic (visual), echoic, auditory

Question 17

Evaluate the Working Memory Model (8 marks)

Answer 17

Feasibility- Strength
Baddeley conducted an experiment to research people’s ability to dual-task, this was done with the participants having to drive while either listening to music or to an American Football commentary.
Results demonstrated that it was difficult to concentrate on driving whilst listening to the commentary, however those that listened to the music were unaffected.
This supports the WMM as it shows that dual-tasking is successful if 2 separate slave systems are used, also that the slave systems capacity is limited to one task at a time for each system.

However, Baddeley didn’t take into account the extraneous variable of the experience in which the drivers had on the road which could have affected their ability to drive. The experiment was also conducted in a simulation- artificial setting- which would not have truly represented the real-world environment. Therefore, it heavily lacked ecological validity.

Case Study- KF also supported the WMM
Showed that there was separate slave systems
And dual-task performance would not be successful if only one of the slave systems worked.

Usefulness- Strength
Provides information on how to dual-task successfully as long as the tasks use two separate systems
Provides guidance on unsuccessful performance of dual-tasking- which can be dangerous and life-threatening

Different Theory- Weakness
The Multi Store Model of Memory is a Feasible alternative
As it takes into account the whole memory system with the different processes which transfer information from one store to another.
It also demonstrates how information may be forgotten if not paid attention to or rehearsed- how information can decay - be either displaced or interfered.

Explanation- Weakness
The WMM cannot explain all of memory because all the case studies used are unique to the individual and therefore cannot be generalised to the wider population.
Additionally, people can have different neural pathways which may affect how memory is processed or stored within their brain. For example, neurodivergent people or people who may have a photographic memory.