The Working memory model

Baddeley

the working memory model only explains how what works

Short term memory and not Long Term Memory

The term working memory refers to what

• bit of information you are using while working on complex task - store information as you go along

What is the Central Executive

• pays attention to the info from your sense

• passes info to the other components and controls them

• limited capacity can be held and one type of info each time

Episodic Buffer

• added to the model later on

• integrates the information processed by other sub systems

• links to long term memory

Phonological Loop

• processes auditory info and limited capacity

• primary acoustic store - known as inner ear and holds onto the words you hear (1 to 2 sec)

• articulatory control - inner voice that allows you to rehearse info

• coding: auditory

Visuo-spatial sketchpad

• processes visual and spatial info - the inner eye

• coding: visual and spatially

• visual cache: passive store of form and colour

• inner scribe: active holding on to relationships between objects in 3D space

POSITIVES OF THE WORKING MEMORY MODEL

• Case of KF - motorcycle accident, STM damaged but LTM normal - remembered words better visually than verbally

• SUPPORT WMM - shows visual and auditory are separate, used different processes and not located in one area

• can understand real life problems such as ADHD - study done by Anderson et Al had showed deficits in visuo spacial sketchpad and phonological loop

• understand different disorders, more into education systems and diagnosis

DUAL TASK PERFORMANCE (BADDELEY)

• shows that visuo-spatial sketchpad and phonological loop are separate

• use different parts of working memory model at same time

• asked participants to do two visual tasks - track moving lights and describe angles of letter F at the same time

• results - participants performed much better compared to when doing it at the same time

• can only focus on one task as sub systems can get crowded and cannot complete tasks at the same time

NEGATIVES OF THE WORKING MEMORY MODEL

• lack of clarity of the central executive - caused speculation and criticism

• lacked evidence and no detail on its function e.g. capacity and duration

• gives opportunity in future for psychologists to work more in depth about this