Discuss the working memory model as an explanation of memory 16 marks Flashcards
AO1 (3 marks) - Description of the Working Memory Model (WMM)
The Working Memory Model (WMM) was proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) as an alternative to the multi-store model.
It focuses on short-term memory (STM) and suggests it is not a single store but consists of multiple components.
The central executive allocates resources to different slave systems and is responsible for attention and problem-solving.
AO1 (3 marks) - Description of the Working Memory Model (WMM)
The phonological loop processes auditory information, with the phonological store (inner ear) and articulatory control system (inner voice).
The visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual and spatial information, often referred to as the inner eye.
The episodic buffer integrates information from different stores and links working memory to long-term memory (LTM).
AO3 (3.3 marks) - Evaluation of the Working Memory Model- Positives
✅ Supporting Evidence – Baddeley et al. (1975) found that participants struggled more with two simultaneous visual tasks than with a visual and verbal task, supporting the idea of separate stores.
✅ Clinical Case Studies – KF (Shallice & Warrington, 1970) had poor verbal STM but intact visual STM, supporting separate phonological and visuospatial components.
✅ Supporting Evidence (Baddeley et al. 1975) – Validity: High internal validity due to controlled conditions, but lacks ecological validity as tasks (e.g., tracking a light while recalling words) are artificial.
✅ Clinical Case Studies (KF, Shallice & Warrington) – Generalizability: Case studies provide deep insight but cannot be generalized to everyone as KF had unique brain damage.
AO3 (3.3 marks) - Evaluation of the Working Memory Model- Positives
✅ Application to Real Life – Understanding WMM helps in improving multitasking strategies and developing better memory aids.
✅ Application to Real Life – Ecological Validity: The model has practical applications in education and multitasking, making it highly valid in everyday memory tasks.
AO3 (3.3 marks) - Evaluation of the Working Memory Model- Negatives
❌ Central Executive is Vague – The role of the central executive is not clearly defined, reducing the model’s explanatory power.
❌ Lack of Explanation for LTM – The model focuses on STM and does not explain how information is transferred to long-term memory. ❌ Central Executive is Vague – Validity: The role of the central executive is poorly defined, meaning the model lacks full explanatory power.
❌ Lack of Explanation for LTM – Reliability: The WMM is only useful for STM, making it incomplete and reducing its reliability as a full explanation of memory.
