Memory 3- the working memory model

What is the working memory model (WMM)?

The WMM explains short-term memory as an active system made up of multiple components that process different types of information simultaneously.

Who proposed the working memory model?

Baddeley and Hitch (1974).

What are the four components of the WMM?

Central executive, phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.

What is the central executive?

The central executive controls attention and coordinates the activities of the other components of working memory.

What is the capacity of the central executive?

Very limited.

What type of information does the central executive process?

It processes all types of information but does not store it.

What is the phonological loop?

The phonological loop processes auditory information and spoken words.

What are the two parts of the phonological loop?

The phonological store and the articulatory process.

What is the phonological store?

The “inner ear” that stores sounds for a short time.

What is the articulatory process?

The “inner voice” that rehearses words to keep them in the phonological store.

What is the visuospatial sketchpad?

The visuospatial sketchpad processes visual and spatial information.

What types of information does the visuospatial sketchpad handle?

Visual (what things look like) and spatial (where things are).

What is the episodic buffer?

The episodic buffer integrates information from the other components and links working memory to long-term memory.

Who added the episodic buffer to the model?

Baddeley (2000).

AO3: Dual-task performance evidence

Baddeley et al. found that people can perform a visual and a verbal task at the same time, supporting separate components.

AO3: Brain-damaged patient evidence

KF had impaired verbal STM but intact visual STM, supporting separate systems in the WMM.

AO3: Real-life application strength

The WMM helps explain multitasking and everyday activities like reading while listening.

AO3: Central executive criticism

The central executive is vague and poorly defined, acting as a homunculus rather than a specific component.

AO3: Episodic buffer criticism

The episodic buffer is difficult to study empirically, limiting scientific evidence.

AO3: Strength over MSM

The WMM explains STM as active and flexible, improving on the oversimplified STM in th