Working memory model

Working memory model

1. Central executive - allocates information to the slave systems. No storage capacity

   • It also deals with cognitive tasks such as mental arithmetic and problem solving

2. Phonological loop - preserves order of auditory information i.e. phone numbers.

   • Phonological store - (inner ear) – Linked to speech perception Holds information in speech-based form (i.e. spoken words) for 1-2 seconds
     • Articulatory process - (inner voice) – Linked to speech production. Used to rehearse and store verbal information from the phonological store.

3. Visuo - spatial sketchpad. Planning and processing visual and spatial tasks

   • Visual cache - form and colour
     • The sketch pad also displays and manipulates visual and spatial information held in long-term memory. For example, the spatial layout of your house is held in LTM
   • Inner scribe for spatial relations
   • Visual information refers to what things look like. It is likely that the visuo-spatial sketch pad plays an important role in helping us keep track of where we are in relation to other objects as we move through our environment

4. Episodic buffer - records events as they happen, links to LTM

   • Acts as a 'backup' store which communicates with both long term memory and the components of working memory.

5. STRENGTHS

   • Hitch and Baddeley - participants slower doing dual tasks
     • Task 1 occupied CE & task 2 involved CE and Arctic loop
       • Proves CE = in the WMM
   • Cases of brain damaged patients
     • KF - damage to phonological loop
       • LIMITED TO VERBAL MATERIAL, i.e. digits and letters. But not meaningful sounds, i.e. phone ringing
     • SC - damage to phonological loop, cant learn word pairs said out loud
     • LH - involved in RTA and performed better on spatial tasks rather than visual imagery.
       • Separate systems for visual and spatial

6. LIMITATIONS

   • CE doesn't explain anything and is more complex than other research
     • Could be the same as attention
     • Probably several components rather than 1 thing
   • Brain damage evidence = unreliable as trauma may cause issues and change behaviour
     • Individuals may have difficulties paying attention and therefore do worse