Working Model of Memory Evaluation

Evaluate the supporting evidence of WMM

-evidence to support limited capacity and separate nature of sub systems

-Gathercole and Baddeley found participants had more difficulty doing 2 visual tasks than doing a visual and verbal task at the same time so simultaneous visual tasks must compete for same sub system with limited capacity whereas verbal and visual simultaneously has no competition

-indicates VSS and PL are separate sub systems with limited capacity

Evaluate the central executive

-lack of clarity over the central executive and it's exact role in system

-Baddely acknowledges the flaw 'Ce is the most important but the least understood component of working memory

-Eslinger and Demasio reported on case study of EVR who has cerebral tumour removed who performed well on reasoning (suggests CE was still intact) but poor decision making skills (CE not wholly intact)

Evaluate comparison of WMM to MSM

-WMM compares favourably as it attempts to explain how memory functions

-leads to greater understanding of cognitive dysfunction e.g. ADHD and dyslexia thought to be linked with impairments of working memory

-Research has led to a number of methods being developed to help children with ADHD focus on tasks such as extra time and not overloading information in lessons and teacher training to increase awareness and better understanding

-development of working memory model has tangible benefits that clearly demonstrates value of the model as it can allow people with severe cases to still remain in mainstream education. MSM has limited practical applications