Working Memory Model (WMM)

Working Memory Model

- Proposes that STM is split into 4 separate stores, working together to process information
- LTM is a passive store that holds previously learned material for use by the STM when needed.
- Developed by Baddeley and Hitch

Visuospatial Sketchpad - "Inner Eye"
Visual = what things look like
Spatial = relationships between what is seen

Positron emission tomography (PET) scans provide evidence
--> Visual tasks - greater left brain activity
--> Spatial tasks - greater right brain activity
Allows for the creation and manipulation of mental images

Phonological Loop - "Inner Ear" and "Inner Voice"
Phono = sound, voice

Holds auditory information
Rehearsing auditory info Increases chance of transfer to LTM

Episodic Buffer

Integrates visual, spatial, and verbal info through time sequencing (order of events)
Links info to LTM stores

Central Executive - "Manager"

Directs attention to tasks
Allocates info between inner ear and inner eye

KF - Shallice & Warrington

- motorcycle accident damaged his STM
- impairment was mainly for verbal information
- memory for visual information was largely unaffected

Biological Evidence: WMM

- Brain scans during different tasks
- Brain damage and impacted functioning of certain tasks