Working Memory Model

Working Memory Model

1. Made up of four components

   • Episodic buffer
     • General store
       • Deals with information that relates to both visual and auditory
     • No storage capacity
     • (2000)
   • Phonological loop
     • Deals with auditory information
     • Limited capacity
     • Subdivided into...
       • Phonological store (inner ear)
       • Articulatory process (inner voice)
   • Central executive
     • Limited capacity
     • Determines how resources are allocated to tasks
   • Visuo-spatial sketchpad
     • Logie (1995) suggested it can be divided into...
       • Visual cache (store)
       • Inner scribe
     • Deals with visual and spatial information

2. Presented by Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

   • They felt that STM wasn't just one store
     • When two tasks are performed at the same time, one auditory and one visual, they are done as well as they would have if done separately.
       • When two tasks are performed at the same time, both either auditory or visual, they are done less well than if they had been done separately.

3. Evidence from brain-damaged patients

   • Supports WMM
     • Study of KF
       • Shallice and Warrington (1970)
       • Shows that STM works independently of LTM
     • Study of SC
     • Study of LH
   • Limits WMM
     • Brain injuries are traumatic and therefore can change behaviour
     • No 'before and after' comparisons can be made

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