Models of memory

Describe one model of memory. (SRQ) Outline one study related to one model of memory. (SRQ)

model memory

model memory

refers to theoretical frameworks that describe how memory systems are structured and function. These models aim to explain how information is encoded, stored, and retrieved in the human brain.

types of memory model

the Working model

the multi-store model

what is the difference between the two?

The working memory model is a more complex and interactive system with multiple components (Central Executive, Phonological Loop, Visuospatial Sketchpad , Episodic Buffer) . On the other hand the multi-stored memory modelconsists of three main stores (sensory, STM, LTM) with information transferred between them in a linear manner.

Definition of working memory: What is it?

Working memory is a cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and processing information necessary for complex tasks such as language comprehension, learning, and reasoning.

what is it essentially?

It is essentially the brain's short-term memory storage that is actively manipulated to support everyday cognitive tasks.

what does it focus on?

The WMM focuses on short-term memory (STM) only, there is no provision made for the functions or types of long-term memory in the model, it only aims to explain the ‘here and now’ of memory i.e. what you need to work for you in the current moment

Strengths of the WMM

• The WMM provides a much more detailed and dynamic model of STM than the multi-store model of memory does as it explains how different processes in memory e.g. response to acoustic and visual information occur at the same time

• The WMM can be tested under controlled conditions such as those used in a lab experiment

weakneses of the WMM

• There is very little insight or evidence as to how the CE functions in terms of directing attention toward the slave systems

• Not properly explaining the role of LTM in memory means that the WMM is limited and ignores key factors in the ways that STM and LTM combine to produce working memory

what is the name of the study?

Baddeley et al. (1973)

no

no

aim of the study

To investigate the existence of the visuospatial sketchpad (VSS) and the the phonological loop (PL) as separate components in the Working Memory Model by using a dual-task activity (dual-task study)

methodology

A dual-task lab experiment in which participants were given a tracking task (following a spot of light with a pointer around a circular path) while imagining block capitals in their head such as H, T, F and E

condition A

Participants were asked to start at the bottom left-hand corner of the path and to begin tracking the shape with their light-pointer. They were asked to respond verbally to each angle with a ‘yes’ if it included the bottom or top line of the letter and a ‘no’ if it did not. So, if the participant was thinking of a letter ‘F’ then they would respond that yes, it had a top and a middle line but no bottom line. They did this while tracking the spot of light

condition B

The participants started tracking the pattern with the light-pointer and they were then told to imagine one of the letters, ‘F’ for example. While they were tracking the pattern they were asked, ‘Does this letter have a top line/middle line/bottom line in it’? But they were asked to just imagine the letter in their head. So, they were having to follow a pattern while at the same time imagine a letter in their head

results

Participants in condition B experienced great difficulty in tracking the spot of light and at the same time accurately identifying in their head whether the letter had a top/middle/bottom line. Tracking and letter imagery tasks were competing for the limited resources of the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad, whereas the tracking and verbal tasks in condition 1 (responding verbally whilst visualising the letter) used separate components: the VSS and Phonological Loop

conclusion

 There may be separate slave systems – the VSS and the PL - which operate in working memory. Overloading one of the slave systems with two tasks means that it cannot function properly

Components of win

Central Executive, Phonological Loop, Visuospatial Sketchpad , Episodic Buffer