The working memory model

• Is a representation of STM. Suggests that STM is a dynamic processor of different types of information using sub-units
• central executive


  • co-ordinates the activities of the three systems in memory
  • allocates processing resources to those activities
  • has a limited processing capacity
• phonological loop


  • processes information in terms of sound
  • written and spoken material
  • phonological store- words you hear
  • articulatory process- maintenance rehearsal
• visuo-spatial sketchpad


  • processes visual and spatial information
  • visualise everything
  • limited capacity
  • visual cache-stores visual data
  • inner scribe- records the arrangements of objects in the visual field
• episodic buffer


  • brings together material from other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands
  • provides a bridge between working memory and LTM
• evaluation- strength- clinical evidence

  • case study of KF- who suffered brain damage
  • He had poor STM ability for verbal info
  • He could process visual information
  • Supports the existence of a separate visual and acoustic store
• evaluation- weakness- lack of clarity over the central executive

  • Psychologists suggests that the CE is unsatisfactory and doesn't really explain anything
  • IT hasn't been fully explained