working memory model

• how information is organised and how it functions
• focuses on the function of memory
• and these functions tend to be temporary
• central executive:

  head of the model - controls attention. receives sense information and filters this before passing on to sub systems. limited in capacity working on one type of information at a time. but can switch attention between different inputs
• episodic buffer:

  allows information to move around and does not stay in the same place continuously
• phonological loop:

  • allows us to store both acoustic and auditory memory - phonological store
  • the inner voice - articulatory control system
  • the articulatory control system allows for mental rehearsal
• visuo-spatial sketchpad:

  • processes visual and spatially coded information thought of as the inner eye
  • visual cache - a passive store of form and colour
  • inner scribe - allows you to form images in your mind - visual yourself in certain environments
• P - a weakness of the working memory model is that there is a lack of clarity over the central executive

  E - this is due to there being a lack a of research and clarity on this central executive

  E - baddeley (2003) had said that the central executive is the most important component but the least understood.

  L - the impact that this model has on ourselves is incomplete and therefore it becomes difficult for us to use this in real life
• AO3(research support):

  • case study evidence to support the processes of the working memory model
  • the case of KF and he had suffered brain damage in a motorcycle accident and this had resulted in affecting his short term memory for his auditory information but his visual information had still remained intact
  • supports that the phonological loop and the visuo-spatial sketchpad are two separate stores for short term memory
  • the model may not be fully generalisable as KF is only one person and focuses on one persons experience
  • reduces validity
• AO3(experimental support):

  • the dual-task performance study, baddeley (1975) had asked his participants to carry out both a visual and verbal task at the same time and their performance had been at a good standard
  • this changed once baddeley had gotten them to perform either two visual tasks at the same time or two verbal tasks at the same time
  • suggests that there is a visual-spatial sketchpad to the working memory model but also the existence of two seperate slave systems
  • provides laboratory based data and increases internal validity as there are high levels of control