Working Memory Models

• Who conducted the Working Memory Model?

  Baddeley and Hitch
• What does the central executive do in the Working Memory Model?

  Coordinates activities of the three subsystems
• What is the capacity of the central executive?

  Limited processing capacity
• What type of information does the phonological loop deal with?

  Auditory information
• What is the coding type of the phonological loop?

  Acoustic
• What are the two components of the phonological loop?

  Phonological store and articulatory process
• What does the phonological store do?

  Stores the words you hear
• What is the function of the articulatory process?

  Allows maintenance rehearsal
• What type of information does the visuo-spatial sketchpad store?

  Visual and spatial information
• What is the capacity of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

  About 3 or 4 objects
• What are the two components of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

  Visual cache and inner scribe
• What does the visual cache do?

  Stores visual data
• What is the function of the inner scribe?

  Records arrangement of objects visually
• What is the role of the episodic buffer?

  Brings together material from subsystems
• What is the capacity of the episodic buffer?

  4 chunks
• How does the episodic buffer link working memory to long-term memory?

  By recording events happening
• What are the strengths of the Working Memory Model?

  • Case study of KF: damaged phonological loop, intact VSS
  • Dual task performance supports separate existence of VSS
• What did the case study of KF demonstrate?

  His phonological loop was damaged
• What was the limitation regarding KF's case study?

  Unclear if he had other cognitive impairments
• What does dual task performance support in the Working Memory Model?

  Separate existence of the visuo-spatial sketchpad
• What happens to performance when both tasks are visual or verbal?

  Performance on both declines
• What is a limitation of the Working Memory Model?

  Lack of clarity over the central executive's nature