The working memory model

The working memory model

• This is a model that aims to explain memory when working on a task. each store within the model is qualitatively different.
• Baddeley felt that short term memory had a number of different stores. You can't do 2 visual task as well as you would if you were doing them separately. However you can be doing a visual and auditory task well at the same time.
• This suggests that there are separate stores for sound and visual processing.

The central executive

• It coordinates and and monitors all other functions in working memory.
• Described as the boss of the working memory.
• The function of the central executive is to direct attention to particular tasks and direct information to the slave systems. It also deals with mental arithmetic and problem solving.

The Phonological loop

• The phonological loop codes speech sounds and written words in working memory, it typically involves maintenance and rehearsal; that's why its called a loop.
• Consists of:
• Phonological store that holds words you hear and a articulatory process that is used for words that are heard or seen. These words are silently repeated in your head. This is a form of maintenance rehearsal.
• Can be used to remember a phone number

The visuo- spatial sketchpad

• This codes visual information in terms of separate objects as well as the arrangements of objects in the visual field.
• The VSS is used when you have to move from one room to another. Visual information is what things look like and spatial information is the physical relation ship between them.
• Visual cach stores information about visual items e.g. the colour, shape, size
• The inner scribe stores the information about arrangement of objects in a visual field.

The Episodic Buffer

• Receives input from many sources, temporarily stores this information and then integrates it in order to from a mental episode of what is being experienced.
• This is where all the information comes together and is made into episodes. It is important for our conscious mind.

EVALUATION

• STRENGTHS:
• Dual task performance studies show that it is much more difficult to do 2 VSS tasks at the same time than doing a VSS task and a Phonological loop task at the same time. This shows that the phonological loop and the visuo spatial sketchpad are separate.
• There is evidence from patients with brain damage, KF had problems remembering auditory information, it was more difficult for him to remember auditory information than visual information. His brain damage restricted his phonological loop but not his VSS
• LIMITATIONS
• The central executive is not well explained in terms of what its for. It fails to explain anything and it is probably more complicated than presented.
• The evidence from brain damaged patients is invalid because it can't be generalised to the hole population. The patients behaviour could have changed as a result of the traumatic experience.