The Working Memory Model

AO1: Working Memory Model

A representation of short-term memory (STM)

It suggests that STM is a dynamci processor of different types of information using sub-units coordinated by a central decision-making system.

AO1: Central executive

The component of the working memory model that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems in memory.

It also allocates processing resources to those activities.

AO1: Phonological loop

The component of the working memory model that processes information in terms of sound.

This includes both written and spoken material.

It's divided into the phonological store and the articulatory process.

AO1: What are the 2 subdivisions of the phonological loop?

1. The phonological store which stores the words you hear.

2. The articulatory process which allows for maintenance rehearsal (repeating words you hear in a loop to keep them in WM while needed) - duration is 2 seconds of what you can say.

AO1: Visuo-spatial sketchpad

The component of the working memory model that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our "inner eye"

AO1: What is the capacity of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Limited to about 3-4 objects (Baddeley, 2003)

AO1: What did Logie (1995) subdivide the visuo-spatial sketchpad into?

• The visual cache, storing visual data.

• The inner scribe, recording the arrangement of objects in the visual field.

AO1: Episodic buffer

The component of the WMM that brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands.

It also provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory.

AO1: What is storage like in the episodic buffer and what does it maintain?

Temporary store for information which integrates the visual, spatial and verbal information processes by the other stores and maintains a sense of time sequencing (recording events that are happening).

AO1: What is the capacity of the episodic buffer?

Limited to approx. 4 chunks (Baddeley, 2012)

AO3: Research support -Baddeley (Strength)

There is supporting evidence for the working memory model.

For example, Baddeley found that when participants did a visual and a verbal task together (dual performance task) performance of each was no worse than when they were done separately
when they did two visual tasks together=performance on both declined because both visual tasks compete for the same salve subsystem

This supports the working memory model because it shows that there must be separate slave subsystems (visuo spatial sketchpad and th phonological loop) that process visual and verbal input

AO3: Competing theories (Limitation)

A limitation is that there are competing theories.

The multi store model describes how information is transferred from one store to another, how its remembered and how its forgotten .

• Sensory register (SR): all stimuli from the environment pass through here, has a high capacity but a very small duration, have to pay attention in order for the info to pass into short term memory.

• Short term memory story (STM)= limited capacity, has a capacity of 5-7 items at once, have to rehearse to keep in the short term memory store.

• Long term memory store (LTM)= permanent, unlimited capacity, encodes semantically, when you want to recall something it has to go back into short term memory.

This means that the working memory model is an incomplete theory as it does not take into account other theories like the multi story model and other factors like genetics and the environment.

AO3: Real world application (Strength)

It has real world applications as it helps us understand amnesia.

Patient KF had amnesia after brain injury. This meant he had poor short term memory for auditory information but could process visual information, also his phonological loop was damaged but his visuo spatial sketch pad was intact.

This means that amnesia does not affect the whole brain and all memory function the working memory model can help us understand the disorder better and maybe develop a treatment from it as currently there is not treatment and therefore can be used to help society.

AO3: Scientific evidence (Strength)

Braver et al. (1997) gave their participants tasks that involved the central executive while they were having a brain scan.

The researchers found greater activity in the left PFC (prefrontal cortex).

It was especially interesting that the activity in this area increased as the task became harder – this makes sense in terms of the WMM: as demands on the central executive increase, it has to work harder to fulfil its function.

This is a strength because scientific evidence supports a key aspect of the working memory model.