Working Memory Model

• What is a major limitation of the case studies used for the Working Memory Model (WMM)?


  They cannot be generalized to other contexts.
• What is the significance of the case study of "KF" in relation to the Working Memory Model?


  • "KF" had brain damage affecting auditory recall.
  • He could recall numbers when read but not when spoken.
  • This indicates separate processing for auditory and visual information.
• What does the case of "KF" suggest about the structure of short-term memory (STM)?


  It suggests that STM is divided into different components.
• What does dual-task performance indicate about visual and auditory processing?


  It indicates that visual and auditory processing are separate systems.
• What experiment did Baddeley conduct to demonstrate dual-task performance?


  Participants were asked to watch a laser and imagine the letter F.
• Why were participants unable to perform both tasks in Baddeley's dual-task experiment?


  Both tasks required the use of the Visual Spatial Sketchpad (VSS).
• What does the "long word effect" support in relation to the Phonological Loop?


  • People struggle to repeat long words.
  • This is due to limited rehearsal capacity for longer items.
  • Shorter words can be rehearsed more times, fitting within the Phonological Loop's capacity.
• What evidence supports the existence of the Central Executive in the Working Memory Model?


  Brain scans show increased activity in the prefrontal cortex during tasks.
• What role does the Central Executive play according to the Working Memory Model?


  It gives commands and coordinates different parts of the brain.
• What is a criticism regarding the definition of the Central Executive in Baddeley's model?


  • The Central Executive is vaguely defined.
  • It is described only as giving "attention."
  • Psychologists argue for a more detailed explanation and the possibility of multiple Central Executives.
• What does the Working Memory Model explain?


  It explains how the mind stores information temporarily and manipulates that data.
• What are the four main parts of the Working Memory Model?


  • Phonological Loop (PL)
  • Visuo-spatial Sketchpad (VSS)
  • Central Executive (CE)
  • Episodic Buffer (EB)
• How many tasks can each section of the Working Memory Model process at a time?


  Each section can only process one task at a time.
• Why is it easier to talk and drive than to text and drive according to the WMM?


  Because talking and driving uses both the VSS and PL, while texting and driving exclusively uses the VSS.
• What is the function of the Central Executive in the WMM?


  It monitors incoming data and assigns it to one of the three slave systems.
• What is a limitation of the Central Executive?


  It has a very limited capacity, likely pushing out information to favor new data.
• What type of information does the Phonological Loop (PL) handle?


  It is the slave system for all auditory information.
• What are the two sections within the Phonological Loop?


  • Phonological Store: Stores words in their order.
  • Articulatory Process: Maintenance rehearsal of up to 2 seconds.
• What is the capacity of the Visuo-spatial Sketchpad (VSS)?


  It has a capacity of 3-4 items of information.
• What are the two sections within the Visuo-spatial Sketchpad?


  • Visual Cache: Store for visual and spatial information.
  • Inner Scribe: Records the order in which information is presented.
• What is the function of the Episodic Buffer in the WMM?


  It merges both other slave systems into one and maintains a sense of time.
• How does the Episodic Buffer contribute to memory?


  It gives an order of which events occurred in time.