99d ago

3.4 WMM

Working Memory Model Overview

  • Developed by Baddeley & Hitch (1974)

    • Suggested a more complex model of Short-Term Memory (STM) rather than just a temporary store.

    • Introduced the concept of Working Memory (WM) with a structure that holds various pieces of information simultaneously.

Components of Working Memory

Central Executive (CE)
  • Function:

    • Most crucial component of the model

    • Monitors and coordinates the operations of other subsystems (visuospatial sketchpad and phonological loop) and connects them to Long-Term Memory (LTM).

    • Responsible for deciding which information to attend to.

    • Controls attentional processes rather than functioning as a memory store.

  • Example of Function:

    • Conflict situations (e.g., driving while talking) illustrate its role in managing attention.

Phonological Loop (PL)
  • Function:

    • Deals with spoken and written material.

    • Comprises two parts:

    1. Phonological Store:

      • Acts like an inner ear that holds information in speech form for 1-2 seconds.

      • Spoken words enter directly; written words need conversion into articulatory code.

    2. Articulatory Control Process:

      • Acts as an inner voice for rehearsal

      • Repeats information to keep it active in working memory, e.g., remembering a telephone number.

  • Key Point:

    • Converts written material into articulatory code for storage.

Visuospatial Sketchpad (VSS)
  • Function:

    • Manages visual and spatial information, described as an inner eye.

    • Helps track relationships between items and our position relative to the environment.

  • Tasks:

    • Engages visual information (e.g., layout of your house) and supports dual processing of visual and verbal information simultaneously.

  • Limitation:

    • Performing two visual tasks simultaneously reduces performance due to interference.

Episodic Buffer (EB)
  • Added in 2000:

    • Serves as a temporary store that integrates information from CE, PL, VSS, and LTM.

    • Plays a role in synthesizing information from different sources.

Key Studies Supporting WMM

Landry & Bartling Study
  • Aim:

    • Investigated the effects of multi-tasking on working memory when both tasks engage the phonological loop.

  • Procedure:

    • Participants memorized strings of letters while simultaneously repeating "1" and "2" (multi-tasking group vs single task group).

  • Findings:

    • Multi-tasking group had a recall accuracy of 45%, while single-task group averaged 76%.

  • Conclusion:

    • Multi-tasking harms working memory, particularly when tasks compete for the same system.

The KF Case Study
  • Details:

    • Individual suffered brain damage affecting verbal information but not visual memory, implying separable components in memory (VSS and PL).

Neuroimaging Studies

  • Tried to discover distinct neural correlates for PL and VSS.

  • Evidence suggests:

    • Phonological tasks activate left hemisphere language areas.

    • Visuospatial tasks activate right posterior regions (parietal cortex).

  • Controversy:

    • Results are complex and not consistent; the overall processes seem to involve interconnected neural circuits rather than isolated brain areas.

Strengths of Working Memory Model

  • Acceptance of multi-component aspects of short-term memory.

  • Better explanatory power for various cognitive tasks, such as reading, navigation, and problem-solving.

  • Supported by empirical evidence showing the limited capacity of different memory systems.

Limitations of Working Memory Model

  • Critiques by Lieberman:

    • Suggests that VSS may combine visual and spatial info incorrectly; blind individuals display spatial awareness without visual input.

  • Unclear function and capacity of the Central Executive.

  • Limited scope as it does not encompass sensory memory (SM) or long-term memory (LTM).

  • Lacks explanation of processing ability changes through practice or time.


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3.4 WMM

Working Memory Model Overview

  • Developed by Baddeley & Hitch (1974)
    • Suggested a more complex model of Short-Term Memory (STM) rather than just a temporary store.
    • Introduced the concept of Working Memory (WM) with a structure that holds various pieces of information simultaneously.

Components of Working Memory

Central Executive (CE)

  • Function:
    • Most crucial component of the model
    • Monitors and coordinates the operations of other subsystems (visuospatial sketchpad and phonological loop) and connects them to Long-Term Memory (LTM).
    • Responsible for deciding which information to attend to.
    • Controls attentional processes rather than functioning as a memory store.
  • Example of Function:
    • Conflict situations (e.g., driving while talking) illustrate its role in managing attention.

Phonological Loop (PL)

  • Function:
    • Deals with spoken and written material.
    • Comprises two parts:
    1. Phonological Store:
      • Acts like an inner ear that holds information in speech form for 1-2 seconds.
      • Spoken words enter directly; written words need conversion into articulatory code.
    2. Articulatory Control Process:
      • Acts as an inner voice for rehearsal
      • Repeats information to keep it active in working memory, e.g., remembering a telephone number.
  • Key Point:
    • Converts written material into articulatory code for storage.

Visuospatial Sketchpad (VSS)

  • Function:
    • Manages visual and spatial information, described as an inner eye.
    • Helps track relationships between items and our position relative to the environment.
  • Tasks:
    • Engages visual information (e.g., layout of your house) and supports dual processing of visual and verbal information simultaneously.
  • Limitation:
    • Performing two visual tasks simultaneously reduces performance due to interference.

Episodic Buffer (EB)

  • Added in 2000:
    • Serves as a temporary store that integrates information from CE, PL, VSS, and LTM.
    • Plays a role in synthesizing information from different sources.

Key Studies Supporting WMM

Landry & Bartling Study

  • Aim:
    • Investigated the effects of multi-tasking on working memory when both tasks engage the phonological loop.
  • Procedure:
    • Participants memorized strings of letters while simultaneously repeating "1" and "2" (multi-tasking group vs single task group).
  • Findings:
    • Multi-tasking group had a recall accuracy of 45%, while single-task group averaged 76%.
  • Conclusion:
    • Multi-tasking harms working memory, particularly when tasks compete for the same system.

The KF Case Study

  • Details:
    • Individual suffered brain damage affecting verbal information but not visual memory, implying separable components in memory (VSS and PL).

Neuroimaging Studies

  • Tried to discover distinct neural correlates for PL and VSS.
  • Evidence suggests:
    • Phonological tasks activate left hemisphere language areas.
    • Visuospatial tasks activate right posterior regions (parietal cortex).
  • Controversy:
    • Results are complex and not consistent; the overall processes seem to involve interconnected neural circuits rather than isolated brain areas.

Strengths of Working Memory Model

  • Acceptance of multi-component aspects of short-term memory.
  • Better explanatory power for various cognitive tasks, such as reading, navigation, and problem-solving.
  • Supported by empirical evidence showing the limited capacity of different memory systems.

Limitations of Working Memory Model

  • Critiques by Lieberman:
    • Suggests that VSS may combine visual and spatial info incorrectly; blind individuals display spatial awareness without visual input.
  • Unclear function and capacity of the Central Executive.
  • Limited scope as it does not encompass sensory memory (SM) or long-term memory (LTM).
  • Lacks explanation of processing ability changes through practice or time.