Working memory model

Working memory model

A representation of STM.

Suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using subcomponents co-ordinated by a central decision making system

Central executive

Co-ordinates the activities in the 3 subsystems in memory.

Allocates processing resources to those activities

Episodic buffer

Combines material from other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands.

Provides a bridge between working memory and LTM

Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Processes visual and spatial information

Subdivided into visual cache and inner scribe

Phonological loop

Processes sound inforation

Includes written and spoken material.

Divided into phonological store and articulatory process

Articulatory process

Subvocal repetition and repetition in your head.

Inner voice.

Capacity around 2 seconds worth of words

Phonological store

Inner ear

Stores the words you’ve just heard

Visual cache

Stores visual data, its form and colour. What things are

Inner scribe

Records the arrangement of objects in the visual field. Where things are

CE easily overwhelmed

Can’t process 2 pieces of information that share a slave system (acoustic or visual).

Can deal with visual and acoustic information at the same time as these involve separate slave systems

S Shallice + Warrington

K.F.’s Visuo-spatial sketchpad was intact but their Phonological loop was broken.

Supports STM being further subdivided

W Shallice + Warrington

Case study so the conclusions can’t be generalised.

No representation

S D’Esposito

Participants were given MRIs.

Prefrontal Cortex was active when the Central Executive was active.

Suggests that the Central Executive is in the Prefrontal Cortex

S Baddeley

When given 2 acoustic tasks or 2 visual tasks, people are unable to do it as the CE is overwhelmed

When given 1 acoustic and 1 visual task, people are able to do that. The resources are divided.