Working Memory Model

• What is the working memory model a response to?

  Over-simplification of short-term memory
• What are the components of the working memory model?

  • Central Executive
  • Phonological Loop
  • Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad
  • Episodic Buffer
• What is the role of the Central Executive?

  Controls the working memory model
• How does the Central Executive manage information?

  Decides which component should process it
• What does the Central Executive focus on?

  Divides our limited attention
• What is the capacity of the Central Executive?

  Very limited capacity
• Does the Central Executive store information?

  No, it does not store information
• What type of information does the Phonological Loop deal with?

  Auditory information
• What does the Phonological Loop preserve?

  The order of heard information
• What are the sub-sections of the Phonological Loop?

  • Phonological Store
  • 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 is the capacity of the Articulatory Process?

  Around 2 seconds
• What type of information does the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad handle?

  Visual and spatial information
• What are the sub-sections of the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad?

  • Visual Cache
  • Inner Scribe
• What does the Visual Cache do?

  Stores visual data
• What is the function of the Inner Scribe?

  Records arrangement of objects
• What is the capacity of the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad?

  Around 3-4 objects
• What is the purpose of the Episodic Buffer?

  Integrates information from other components
• What is the capacity of the Episodic Buffer?

  Around 4 chunks
• What do Dual-task Performance Studies demonstrate?

  • Performance declines with similar tasks
  • No competition with different tasks
  • Supports separate subsystems for processing
• What did Baddeley et al (1975) find in their study?

  Performance declines with similar tasks
• Why does performance decline in similar tasks?

  Both tasks compete for the same subsystem
• What does clinical evidence from KF support?

  Existence of separate memory stores
• What is a strength for the Working Memory Model?

  Dual-task Performance Studies

  • Baddeley et al (1975) had participants carry out a visual and verbal task at the same time and found that when both tasks are the same, performance declines compared to when one task is visual and the other is verbal
  • This is because both visual tasks compete for the same subsystem, whereas there is no competition when performing a verbal and visual task together
  • This shows the existence of a separate subsystem that processes visual input and another that processes verbal processing
• What was the finding from Shallice and Warrington's (1970) case study of KF?

  KF had poor auditory memory but normal visual memory
• Why was KF's case significant?

  It showed damage to the phonological loop
• What is a limitation of clinical evidence in memory studies?

  Unclear if other cognitive impairments exist
• What challenge does KF's injury present to memory studies?

  May have affected multiple cognitive systems
• What is unclear about the role of the Central Executive?

  Its exact function is not well understood
• What did Baddeley (2003) claim about the Central Executive?

  It is the most important yet least understood component
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Working Memory Model?

  Strengths:

  • Explains dual-task performance
  • Supported by clinical evidence

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Role of Central Executive is unclear
  • Limited understanding of its function
• What is a strength for the Working Memory Model?

  Clinical Evidence

  • Shallice and Warrington’s (1970) case study of KF shows that KF had poor short term memory after his brain injury for auditory information but could process visual information normally 
  • This was because his phonological loop was damaged but his visuo-spatial sketchpad was still intact
  • This finding strongly supports the existence of separate visual and acoustic memory stores
• What is a limitation for the Working Memory Model?

  Nature of the Central Executive

  • The role of the central executive is unclear
  • Baddeley (2003) claimed that the central executive is the most important yet least understood component of working memory
  • This means the central executive challenges the integrity of the working memory model
• What is a limitation for the Working Memory Model?

  Lack of Control

  • It is unclear if KF had other cognitive impairments which may have affected his performance on memory tasks
  • For example, his injury was caused by a motorcycle accident and the trauma involved in his accident may have affected his cognitive performance
  • This challenges evidence that comes from clinical studies of people with brain injuries that may have affected many different systems