Working Memory Model

Working Memory Model

1. Addresses STM - concerned with the part of the mind that is active when we are working on a complex task which requires you to store information as you go along

2. Central Executive

   • Definition
     • Directs attention to a particular task, makes decisions, allocates slave systems to tasks
   • Coding
     • Modality free - processes info from any of the 5 senses
   • Capacity
     • Very limited - can't attend to too many things at once

3. Phonological Loop

   • Definition
     • Deals with auditory information, divided into 2 parts
       • Phonological store - stores the words you hear (inner ear)
       • Articulatory loop - words you see or hear are silently repeated (looped) (inner voice) and allows for maintenance rehearsal
   • Coding
     • Acoustic
   • Capacity
     • Limited - explains why you cannot listen to your fave TV show and somebody speaking to you at the same time

4. Visual Spatial Sketchpad (VSSP)

   • Coding
     • Visual
   • Capacity
     • Limited capacity
   • Definition
     • Stores visual & spacial information (inner eye), divided into 2 parts
       • Visual Cache - stores visual data (form and colour)
       • Inner Scribe - deals with spatial relations and arrangements of objects in a visual field

5. Episodic Buffer

   • Definition
     • Integrates info from the CE, PL & VSSP and maintains a sense of time sequencing (records events as they are happening), sends info to LTM
   • Coding
     • Visual & Acoustic
   • Capacity
     • Limited capacity