Working Memory Model

who founded the working memory model?

Baddeley and Hitch (1974); Baddeley (2000)

how was the short term described

complex active store that holds pieces of info while being manipulated

what is the working memory model

view of short term memory as dynamic storage system capable of holding heaps of info

list the components of the WMM

• central executive

• visuo-spatial sketchpad

• episodic buffer

• phonological loop

central executive

responsible for coordinating the slave systems as well as controlling attention and decision making

what is the central executive’s role in attention?

controls attention between different tasks allowing for selective and divided attention

phonological loop

temporarily stores and processes auditory info

what is phonological loop further divided into?

phonological store and articulatory process

phonological store

storage for words that are heard (inner ear)

articulatory process

repeats heard words in a loop allowing maintenance rehearsal (inner voice)

visuospatial sketchpad

stores and manipulate visual and spatial info

episodic buffer

temporarily stores consolidated info from components of WMM and long term memory; it is limited in capacity and accessible by consciousness