Working memory model (STM)

Central executive

• “CEO” acts and controls where certain information is sent to to be processed

• which issues deserve attention

central executive - lack of clarity

• too simplistic to say its a single component - many feel it has sub components

• Hunt: CE is responsible for regulating complex processes such as problem solving

• role of CE remains ambiguous, challenges validity of WMM

Visual spatial sketchpas

• Processes visual and spatial information.

• Visual cache: processes shapes/colours.

• Inner scribe: navigates physical environment.

Phonological loop

• processes verbal and auditory information.

• Phonological store: “inner ear” holds words you have just heard for a short time. (1-2 secs)

• Articulatory processes: “inner voice” holds words by silently repeating them.

episodic buffer

• temporary integration space

• connects visual, spatial and auditory information to the long term memory

Strength - supported by lab studies

• Robin et al, ppts moved chess piece either saying sea saw or pressing keys. Ones who said performed better as pressing keys overloads VSS.

strength - evidence to support stores

• after his brain surgery he has poor stm ability for auditory information but could process visual information

• KF’s phonological loop was damaged but his VSS was intact

• supports existence of separate stores

Limitation - lacks generalisability

• based largely on highly controlled lab studies which may undermine ecological validity.

• Robbins - involve artificial tasks may not accurately reflect the WMM in real life in dual task

• KF’s case is also unique, idiographic so findings cant be generalised