Working Memory Model

Question 1

central executive

Answer 1

monitors incoming data and allocates tasks to appropriate slave systems- limited processing capacity

Question 2

phonological loop

Answer 2

deals with auditory info. split into 2 parts: phonological store (inner ear) and articulatory process (allows maintenance rehearsal)

Question 3

visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 3

deals with temporary storage of visual and spatial info. limited capacity. subdivied into visual cache and inner scribe

Question 4

episodic buffer

Answer 4

added to model in 2000. brings together material from other systems into single memory

Question 5

strength- case study of KF

Answer 5

Shallice and Warrington’s study of KF found that he had impaired verbal short-term memory but intact visual memory. This suggests separate components within STM, supporting the Working Memory Model and challenging the idea of a single-store STM proposed by the MSM

Question 6

weakness- lack of empirical evidence

Answer 6

capacity of central executive has never been clearly measured, making it difficult to determine its limits. It is unclear exactly what it does or how it allocates attention, meaning it remains a vaguely defined component of the working memory model. This lack of clarity reduces its reliability and challenges the overall validity of the model.

Question 7

strength- more comprehensive than MSM

Answer 7

reduces the emphasis on rehearsal- Suggests that information can enter LTM without rehearsal, indicating that other processes, such as attention, meaning, and the interaction between different memory systems, influence how information is encoded and stored in long-term memory = broader understanding of memory beyond just the rehearsal process.

Question 8

weakness- lacks ecological validity

Answer 8

lacks ecological validity as much of the research supporting it comes from lab studies. These studies are highly controlled, but they may not accurately represent how memory functions in real-world situations, limiting the generalisability of the findings

Question 9

weakness- incomplete explanation of memory

Answer 9

focuses primarily on STM and does not explain how information is transferred to LTM. This makes it less comprehensive compared to MSM, which includes a clear process for information transfer between STM and LTM.