Working Memory Model

• What are the components of the Working Memory Model (WMM)?


  The components are the central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.
• What is the role of the central executive in the WMM?


  The central executive allocates tasks to the three slave systems and has a limited processing capacity.
• What does the phonological loop do?


  The phonological loop processes auditory information and allows for maintenance rehearsal.
• How is the visuo-spatial sketchpad structured?


  The visuo-spatial sketchpad is divided into the inner scribe and visual cache.
• What is the capacity of the visuo-spatial sketchpad according to Baddeley?


  The capacity of the visuo-spatial sketchpad is around 4-5 chunks.
• What is the function of the episodic buffer in the WMM?


  The episodic buffer integrates all types of data processed by other stores and links STM to LTM.
• Why is the central executive considered vague in its definition?


  Because the term 'process' is vague and it may consist of several sub-components.
• What does Shalice and Warrington's study of KF suggest about the WMM?


  It suggests that auditory and visual memory components are separate.
• What does dual-task performance indicate about the central executive?


  It indicates that the central executive has a limited processing capacity.
• What does Braver et al's neuroscan evidence support regarding the central executive?


  It supports the idea that the central executive allocates tasks and has a limited processing capacity.
• How does increasing cognitive load affect the prefrontal cortex according to Braver et al's findings?


  Increased cognitive load correlates with increased activation in the prefrontal cortex.