The working memory model

The working memory model

1. AO1

   • outline
     • functional
     • focuses on STM
     • separate components have different specialisations
       • 4 components
         • 1) CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
           • 3) VISUO-SPATIAL SCETCHPAD
             • stores visual/spatial info
           • 4) EPISODIC BUFFER
             • long-term memory
             • added in 2000 limited capacity holds combined information
           • 2) PHONOLOGICAL LOOP
             • phonological store (inner ear)
               • holds verbal information limited capacity (two sec)
             • articulatory process (inner voice)
               • verbal rehearsal
             • deals with auditory information
           • - modality-free - controls attention - limited capacity
   • supporting evidence
     • Baddeley (1975) short words are easier to recall
       • there is no difference when you repeat something at the same time
     • Hitch and Baddeley (1976) doing two tasks which involve the same component at the same time is difficult
     • case studies (brain damaged people)
       • KF
         • forgetting auditory info faster than visual one
       • SC
         • couldn't learn word pairs, presented out loud
       • LH
         • spatial tasks better than visual

2. AO2

   • strengths
     • explanatory power
       • explains many observations
     • supporting evidence
       • a lot of supporting information
     • recognises there are different kinds of STM
   • limitations
     • description of Central Executive is too vague
       • Damasio (1985) centre executive is not unitary
     • research is mostly lab based
       • low ecological validity

3. Baddeley and Hitch (1974)