the working memory model

the working memory model

1. proposes the idea that the short term memory is more than just a unitary store.

2. Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

3. Main components of the the WMM

   • Central executive
     • controls attention
     • controls the slave sysems.
     • Can proccess information in any form
     • Has a limited storage capacity
   • Phonological loop
     • articulatory control system
       • inner voice - verbal rehearsal
     • Phonological store
       • acoustically coded items - inner ear
   • visuo-spatial sketch pad
     • stores visual and spatial information
     • the inner eye
     • limited capactiy
   • episodic buffer
     • added in 2000
     • temproary store for combined information
     • limited capactiy

4. Strengths

   • Replaces the idea that the STM is a unitary store
   • the dual task method proves the idea that it is easier to do two tasks that use two separate components of the WMM
   • more complex than the STM, It allows for acoustic and visual information

5. Weaknesses

   • The central executive is a key component yet little is actually known about it
   • evidence from brain studies that the central executive is not unitary