Woring Memory Model

What is the Working Memory Model?

A multi-component model explaining how short-term memory processes info.

Who proposed the WMM?

Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

What are the 4 components of the WMM?

• Central executive

• Phonological loop (slave system)

• Visio-spatial sketchpad (slave system)

• Episodic buffer

What is the central executive?

The ‘boss’ that controls attention and directs info to the slave systems.

• Limited capacity

• Can process info from any sensory modality

What is the phonological loop?

Temporary storage system for verbal info held in speech-based form.

• Limited capacity

What are the 2 parts of the phonological loop?

• Articulately control process - ‘inner voice’, allows subvocal repetition of acoustic info.

• Phonological store - ‘inner ear’, temporarily stores acoustic info.

What is the Visio-spatial sketchpad?

Temporary storage system for visual + spatial info.

• Limited capacity

What are the 2 parts of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

• Inner scribe - manipulates mental images + deals w spatial info.

• Visual cache - stores visual + spatial info.

What does the episodic buffer do?

Binds + integrates info from the other components and LTM.

• Limited capacity

What type of info does the episodic buffer code?

• Codes visual + acoustic info.

What did Patient KF show about the WMM?

He could recall visual info but had difficulty recalling sounds → supporting separate STM systems.

Strength 1: What did Patient KF provide evidence for?

WMM 2 slave systems - Separate phonological + visual systems → supporting the WMM’s multi-component STM.

Strength 2: What did Baddeley & Hitch (1976) find?

Dual-task studies:

• 1 condition - 2 acoustic tasks (e.g; simultaneously remembering digits + verbal reasoning task).

• Condition 2 - 1 acoustic tasks simultaneously + 1 visual based task (e.g; remembering digits + copying a drawing).

• Findings - 2 acoustic tasks (PL), ability to perform task=impaired, but an acoustic (PL) and visual task (VSS) could be done together - not impaired.

• Supports - separate phonological + visual-spatial systems within STM.

Weakness 1: Why is the WMM criticised for its vagueness?

Central executive=criticised for poor definition + simplicity, critics believe it’s made up of several sub-components - bc it can’t be easily measured it lacks explanatory power.

Weakness 2: Why does the WMM have low ecological validity?

Empirical evidence backing the WMM relies on artificial lab experiments e.g; dual task studies don’t reflect how memory functions in everyday life → lack mundane realism + external validity as it may not be an accurate rep.