The Working Memory Model

• What is the working model of memory an improvement of?

  Short term memory store
• How does the working memory model differ from the short-term memory store?

  It explains processing of auditory and visual information
• What are the key components of the working memory model?

  • Central executive
  • Phonological loop
  • Visuospatial sketchpad
  • Episodic buffer
• What is the role of the central executive in the working memory model?

  It pays attention and controls other components
• What is the capacity limitation of the central executive?

  One type of information at a time
• What does the phonological loop process?

  Auditory information like sounds and words
• What are the two sections of the phonological loop?

  Phonological store and articulatory process
• What does the visuospatial sketchpad process?

  Visual and spatial information
• What are the two processors of the visuospatial sketchpad?

  Visual cache and inner scribe
• What is the function of the episodic buffer?

  Integrates and stores information
• Why was the episodic buffer added to the working memory model?

  To explain integration of different information types
• What is the coding type of the phonological loop?

  Acoustic
• What is the coding type of the visuospatial sketchpad?

  Visual
• What is the capacity of the phonological loop?

  What can be said in two seconds
• What is the capacity of the central executive according to Cohen?

  Four items plus or minus one
• What evidence supports the working memory model?

  • Dual task performance study
  • Case study of KF
  • Brain scanning evidence for episodic buffer
  • Word length effect study
• What does the dual task performance study demonstrate?

  Separation between the slave systems
• Who conducted the case study of KF?

  Charleston Warrington
• What did KF's case study suggest about memory systems?

  Phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad are separate
• What did brain scanning evidence by Parapacaran show?

  Physical location of the episodic buffer
• What is the word length effect?

  Short monosyllabic words are easier to remember
• What are the criticisms of the working memory model?

  • Central executive is poorly defined
  • Reliance on laboratory studies
  • Lack of mundane realism
  • Inferences about memory processes may be incorrect
• Why is the central executive criticized?

  It is not fully operationalized
• What is a limitation of laboratory studies in memory research?

  Low external validity
• What does mundane realism refer to?

  Real-life applicability of study findings
• What is inference in cognitive psychology?

  Making assumptions about unobservable processes
• What could undermine the working memory model's validity?

  Different processes may produce similar behaviors
• What should students focus on when preparing for exams on the working memory model?

  • Key ideas and evaluations
  • Drawing models from memory
  • Understanding studies supporting the model