Ch. 7.5-6 - Serial Position Effect & Working Memory

What is the Working Memory Model?

A more detailed elaboration of short-term memory in the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, emphasizing multiple components.

What is the phonological loop?

A storage component that relies on rehearsal and stores information as sounds; includes the phonological store and articulatory control processes.

What is the word-length effect?

People remember more one-syllable words than four- or five-syllable words because the loop holds ~2 seconds of information.

What is the visuospatial sketchpad?

A storage component that maintains visual images and spatial layouts; supports feature binding or visual chunking.

What is the episodic buffer?

A storage component that combines images and sounds from other components and links them to long-term memory.

What is the central executive?

The control center of working memory coordinating attention and exchange of information among the three storage components, like a CEO.

What is the serial position effect?

The tendency to recall items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of a list more easily.

What is proactive interference?

Previously learned information interferes with learning new information (old interferes with new).

What is retroactive interference?

New information interferes with the ability to recall older information (new interferes with old).

How can variations in methodology disrupt the primacy or recency effect?

Through delayed recall or rapid presentation of items.

How does the hippocampus differ from sensory and association areas in memory?

The hippocampus is critical for long-term memory, while sensory and association areas support short-term memory; damage can selectively impair one system.