Working Memory Model

Working Memory Model

1. Baddeley & Hitch 1974

2. The central executive

   • Attentional system Decision making - incoming info - allocates attention Modality free Limited capacity Other systems - phonological loop & visuospatial sketchpad - slave systems

3. Episodic Buffer

   • Added in 200- storage component of the central executive Brings PL & VSS info together - adds time frame - episodes The link from WMM to LTM

4. Visuo- spatial Sketchpad

   • Remembering or processing visual patterns and spatial movement Eg - walking, computer games Are different - blindness
   • Logie 1995 - suggested subdivision
     • Visual cache - stores visual data Inner scribe - spatial information

5. Phonological Loop

   • Auditory info - acoustic coding
   • Sub - divisions
     • Phonological store - stores words we hear Articulatory process - maintenance rehearsal - 2 sec loop - what can you say in this time

6. Evaluation

   • +Research support - Dual- task performance - doing two separate tasks (VSS & PL) is achievable but two tasks using the same system is not - Baddeley et al (1975) - tracking a light and describing letter F (both VSS) more difficult than tracking a light and listening to music (one VSS, one PL). Due to separate capacities. Supports separate stores. Word length effect - Baddeley et al (1975) - we can remember as much as it takes to say 2sec. Supports the coding (auditory)and capacity of PL Brain scan support - Braver et al (1997) - scans as central executive tasks took place. Activity increased as tasks become more complex. Supports the CE as a separate system and its role in attention
     • KF (Shallice & Warrington 1970) - poor verbal, but normal visual STM - poor with sounds but fine with letters - support for separate VSS & PL stores
   • - Issues with CE - the most important but the least understood component of working memory (Baddeley, 2003). Much more complex than merely attention. Generalisability issues with cases studies

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