Lesson 07 - working memory model evaluation

describe the word length effect

the findings that lists of short words are better recalled than lists of long words

define triangulation

using multiple datasets, methods and/or investigators to address a research question to help you enhance the validity and credibility of your findings

define reliability

refers to how consistent a measuring device is - tells us whether a procedure produces consistent results with repeated applications to the same individual, over time, or parallel measures

define practical applications

interventions created based on a theory that benefit individuals or society

define dual task studies

a research procedure where an individual is asked to perform two tasks simultaneously. if participants are slower doing these tasks at the same time than when doing them separately, it is assumed that both tasks compete for the same resources in the brain

strengths of the WMM

• lots of research evidence to support (dual task studies, word length effect)

• case study KF

• triangulation - case study and lab experiment back each other up

• everyday practical application: no handheld phones whilst driving

• explains STM in more detail

limitations of the WMM

• Lack of clarity over CE

• No evidence for CE and EB - can't verify that they exist

• methodology - potential problems with each type of evidence e.g. lack of generalisability of case studies and low mundane realism in lab experiments

problems with the CE

the CE is the most important but least understood component of the WMM. it can't be tested in an experiment, so in unfalsifiable. this weakens the scientific status of the model - it may not be valid at all