The Working Memory Model - Baddeley & Hitch (1974)

Sensory Memory

Central Executive: Most important component although little is known about its functions. Responsible for monitering and co-ordinating the operation of the slave systems and relates them to LTM. Decides which data is attended to and where to send it to be dealt with.

Visuo-spatial sketchpad: (inner eye) deals with visual and spatial information. Plays important role in helping us keep track of where we are in relation to other objects (spatial awareness). It also displays and manipulates visual and spatial info retrieved from LTM

Phonological Loop: Deals with spoken and written material. 2 parts to it.

Phonological Store: (linked to speech perception) acts as an inner ear and holds info in speech-based form for 1-2 seconds. Spoken words enter directly. Written words must be converted into an articulatory code (spoken) before they enter the phonological store.

Articulatory Control Process: (linked to speech production) acts like an inner voice rehearsing information from the phonological store. It circulates information round like a tape loop. As long as we keep repeating it, we can retain data in LTM.

Long Term Memory