Working Memory Model (booklet 3)

Question 1

Who created the working memory model?

Answer 1

Baddeley + Hitch (1974)

Question 2

Summarise the working memory model

Answer 2

B + H refer to STM as working memory
Active when temporarily storing and manipulating information
Argues STM made of several sub stores
Info flows back and forth between these subsystems

Question 3

Name the 4 components of the working memory model

Answer 3

Central executive
Phonological loop
Visual-spatial sketchpad
Episodic buffer

Question 4

Draw the working memory model diagram

Answer 4

https://i2.wp.com/psychologyhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/wmm-diagram.png?resize=640%2C379&ssl=1

Question 5

Describe the central executive

Answer 5

The ‘attention’ system
Organises all incoming sensory info
Divides our limited attention
Directs info to subsystems
Limited processing capacity
Doesn’t store information

Question 6

Describe the phonological loop

Answer 6

Deals with auditory info- acoustic coding
Preserves order that info arrives
Subdivided into:
-phonological store which stores words you hear (inner voice)
-articulatory process which allows maintenance rehearsal (repeating sounds/words to keep them in working memory) (inner ear)
Capacity of 2 seconds worth of speech

Question 7

Describe the visual spacial sketchpad

Answer 7

Stores visual and spacial information
Limited capacity- 3/4 objects according to Baddeley
Robert Logie (1995) subdivided into:
-visual cache, stores visual data
-inner scribe, records arrangement of objects in visual field

Question 8

Describe the episodic buffer

Answer 8

Added to model by Baddeley in 2000
Temporary store
Integrates visual, spacial and verbal info processed by other stores
Maintains time sequencing
Storage limited- around 4 chunks
Links working memory to LTM and other wider cognitive processes

Question 9

Give research evidence for the working memory model

Answer 9

Baddeley and Hitch
Used a dual task technique- asked P’s to perform a verbal reasoning task while simultaneously reciting out loud a list of 6 digits
Found P’s could complete both tasks accurately
Suggests different areas of the STM are being used simultaneously so STM must have more than one store

Question 10

Give 2 strengths of the working memory model

Answer 10

Has supporting scientific evidence- PET scans completed while people performed various tasks- found different tasks involved different areas of the brain (left hemisphere=auditory tasks, right hemisphere=spacial tasks)- supports that the STM is split
Dual tasks performed successfully- Baddeley et al (1975) study where P’s did visual and verbal tasks at same time, performance of tasks similar when separate to when simultaneous- however when both tasks visual/verbal performance declined significantly- shows visual and verbal processing takes place in different stores

Question 11

Give 2 limitations of the WMM

Answer 11

Research underpinning lacks ecological validity- unlike how we use memory in our daily lives- therefore model may not be as credible
Lack of clarity over central executive- Baddeley said CE is most important yet least understood- CE needs to be more clearly specified than just attention- therefore CE is unsatisfactory component which challenges integrity of WMM