The working memory model(WMM) Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is the working memory model?
-An explanation on how STM is organised and functions
-4 different components: Central Executive, Phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad,Episodic buffer
What is the a)role and b) capacity of the Central executive in the working memory model?
a)”Supervisory role”
-Monitors incoming data and allocates subsystems to tasks
b)Limited processing capacity and does not store information
What is the role of the Phonological loop?
-Deals with auditory information
-Preserves the order in which the information arrives
What are the two divisions of the phonological loop and what do they do?
1)Phonological store: stores the words you hear
2)Articulatory process: allows maintenance rehearsal- repeating words in a loop to keep them in working memory- capacity of loop = 2 seconds
a)What is the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS) and b) capacity ?
a)Stores visual and spatial information when required
b)3 or 4 objects
What are the two subdivisions of the Visuo-spatial sketchpad?
1)Visual cache: stores visual data
2)inner scribe: records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
What is the role of the episodic buffer?
-Temporary store for information; integrating visual,spatial and verbal info processed by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing
-storage component for = central executive
-Links working memory to LTM
What are the strengths of the Working memory model?
-Dual-task performance: Baddeley’s participants carried out a visual and verbal task at the same time and performance on each was similar to when they carried out the tasks separately. But when both tasks were in the same sense (visual or auditory) performance declined substantially. This is because both tasks compete for the same subsystem - VSS. Supports the idea of their being a separate subsystem for different STM.
-Research Support: Warrington’s case study of KF- after his brain injury KF had poor STM ability for auditory info but could process visual info normally: could recall letters when he read them opposed to when they were read to him. Therefore KF’s phonological loop was damage but his VSS was fine. This supports the existence of different STM memory stores
However,as it is a clinical study, impossible to know what caused it or if he had problems before hand. His damage came from a driving accident; the trauma may have caused cognitive issues not an injury. Therefore challenges evidence from clinical studies.
What is the limitation of the Working memory model
lack of clarity over the Nature of the CE: Baddeley recognised this when he said “the central executive is the most important but the least understood component of working memory.The CE needs to be more clearly specified than just monitoring and attention. e.g. some psychologists believe CE may consist of separate subcomponents. This means that the CE is an unsatisfactory component which challenges the integrity and value of WMM.
