Working Memory Model

• What model did Baddeley and Hitch propose in 1976?

  Working Memory Model
• What are the components of the working memory model?

  Central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, episodic buffer
• What does the central executive do in the working memory model?

  Involved in decision-making and problem-solving
• What is the capacity of the central executive?

  Limited capacity
• What does the phonological loop code?

  Information acoustically, such as sounds and words
• What is the primary acoustic store linked to?

  Speech perception and sound
• What is the role of the articulatory process in the phonological loop?

  Deals with speech production and verbal information
• How does the episodic buffer function in the working memory model?

  Integrates and manipulates visual and acoustic information
• What does the visuo-spatial sketchpad deal with?

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

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

  Visual cache and inner scribe
• What does the episodic buffer link to?

  Links information to long-term memory
• How does the working memory model describe short-term memory?

  As a busy and active system
• What happens when attention is divided between tasks?

  Central executive balances attention between tasks
• What is the role of dual task studies in supporting the WMM?

  They show separate stores with limited capacity
• What did Baddeley and Hitch find in their dual task studies?

  Participants could perform different tasks simultaneously
• What does the evidence from dual task studies demonstrate about short-term memory?

  It consists of multiple separate stores
• Why is it harder to perform two similar tasks in the working memory model?

  Both tasks occupy the same slave system
• What is the significance of the episodic buffer's addition in 2000?

  It integrates and manipulates information in working memory
• What is the template for writing a hypothesis in research?

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

  • Central Executive
  • Phonological Loop
  • Primary Acoustic Store
  • Articulatory Process
  • Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
  • Visual Cache
  • Inner Scribe
  • Episodic Buffer
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Working Memory Model?

  Strengths:

  • Explains complex cognitive tasks
  • Supported by dual-task studies

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited understanding of the central executive
  • Lack of clarity on the episodic buffer's role
• How do different components of working memory interact during tasks?

  • Central executive directs attention
  • Phonological loop processes verbal information
  • Visuo-spatial sketchpad handles visual tasks
  • Episodic buffer integrates information
• What two parts of the Working Memory Model (WMM) can be used simultaneously?

  Visual Spatial Sketch Pad and Articulatory Loop
• Why was the words and words aloud task difficult?

  Because the Articulatory Loop was overstretched
• What does the WMM suggest about performing multiple tasks?

  It cannot do more than one task in the same component
• What do dual task studies support about short-term memory (STM)?

  STM consists of individual separate stores
• Who conducted research supporting the separate stores in STM?

  Baddeley and Hitch
• What happens when participants perform two similar tasks in the Articulatory Loop?

  Recall on the first task is affected
• What does the dual task study demonstrate about STM's structure?

  STM has multiple separate stores with limited capacity
• What did Cohen et al's research find regarding brain activity during tasks?

  Higher activity in Broca's area for verbal tasks
• What does the research by Cohen et al support about the phonological loop and VSSP?

  It supports their roles and physical existence
• What is the Word Length Effect?

  Shorter words are easier to remember than longer ones
• Why do shorter words have an advantage in memory recall?

  Because the Articulatory Loop can rehearse them quicker
• What happens to the word length effect when rehearsal is prevented?

  The effect disappears if rehearsal is blocked
• What is the role of the Central Executive in the WMM?

  It controls the entire working memory system
• What does the case study of EVR suggest about the Central Executive?

  It suggests the CE is not a unitary system
• What does the evidence from EVR indicate about higher mental processes?

  Some processes can remain intact while others are damaged
• How does Bryan's experience differ from Bob's while driving?

  Bryan's task is automated, Bob's requires full attention
• Why can Bryan perform other tasks while driving?

  His driving is automated, needing less attention