Working Memory

Working Memory

1. Working memory

   • One group of functions enables temporary storage of the visual appearance of objects and scenes, a second group likewise offers temporary retention of verbal material in terms of sounds or 'phonology', while a third offers a co-ordinating executive function which enables the conscious manipulation of information (central executive) .

2. Basics of working memory

   • Limited capacity
   • Temporary nature of working memory

3. Visual appearance and location

   • It helps hold information about where objects are and what those objects are thereby allowing us to guide hand and arm movements to the correct location and to pick up the objects in the absence of vision.

4. Memory span, counting and language acquisition

   • Long term working memory that accounts for the ease with which we can access highly familiar stored knowledge. The greater our expertise in a particular domain, the greater is our working memory capacity for information in that domain.

5. Memory span, counting and language acquisition

   • Memory span relates to the phonologocal aspects of the language and depending on how difficult and how long the words are then that wo;; influince memory span
   • Phonological loop is important to the counting process. ARticulatory suppression has effects on counting
   • The ability to repeat an unfamiliar speech sound (a fe ature of the phonolOgical loop) is important for acquiring vocabulary and other language skills, both in young children and in adults learning a second language