Working Memory Model Flashcards
Cognitive Approach 1.3 (22 cards)
Working Memory Model
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
Dual-task technique
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
Main characteristics of WMM
- 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
Working Memory Model
Central Executive
Attention control system that monitors and coordinates the operations of the sub-systems of processing and storage
Functions of central executive (3)
Can focus attention
Divide attention between tasks
Switch attention between tasks
Characteristics of central executive (2)
- Limited capacity: cannot handle a large amount of information simultaneously
- Can process any type of sensory information (auditory or visual)
Two levels of attention
- Automatic level
- Supervisory attention level
Automatic level attention
- Based on habits and schemas from long-term memory
- Triggered automatically by environmental stimuli
- Manages routine tasks (e.g., cycling) with minimal attention demand
Supervisory attention level
- 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
Phonological loop
Auditory component of STM and it is divided into two components
Two components of phonological loop
- phonological store (inner ear)
- articulary control system or loop (inner voice)
Phonological store (main function & explanation)
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
Articulatory control system loop (main function & explanation)
Holds information in verbal form
* repeats info
* prepares words for cognitive tasks
Visuo-spatial sketchpad
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
Two parts of visuo-spatial sketchpad (by Logie (1955))
- 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)
What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad help with? (2)
- remembering what visual info is important
- remembering where objects are (navigation, spatial memory)
Episodic buffer
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
Strengths of WMM (name 3)
- 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
Limitations of WMM (name 3)
- 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
Similarities between MSMM and WMM (4)
- 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
Differences between MSMM and WMM (4)
- 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)
