The working memory model

• Define working memory model

  a representation of short-term memory. it suggests that stm is a dynamic processor of different types of information using subunits co-ordinated by a central decision-making system
• Define central executive

  the component of the wmm that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems in memory. it also allocates processing resources to those activities
• Define phonological loop

  the component of the wmm that processes information is terms of sound, this includes both written and spoken material. its divided into the phonological store and the articulatory process
• Define visuo-spatial sketchpad

  the component of the wmm that processes visual and spatial information in a mental space often called our inner eye
• Define episodic buffer

  the component of the wmm that brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory rather than separate strands. it also provides a bridge between working memory and long-term memory
• The working memory model

  -wmm by baddeley and hitch 1974 is a explanation of how one aspect of memory the stm is organised and how it functions, the wmm is concerned with the mental space that is active when we are temporarily storing and manipulating info eg playing chess or learning a language

  -model consists of 4 components each is different especially in terms of coding and capacity
• The working memory model: central executive

  central executive has a supervisory role, it monitors incoming date, focuses and divides our limited attention and allocates 'slave systems' to tasks, the ce has a very limited processing capacity and doesnt store information
• The working memory model: phonological loop

  -slave system, deals with auditory information eg coding is acoustic, preserves the order in which info arrives

  -pl divided into the phonological store: stores the words you hear

  -the articulatory process: which allows maintenance rehearsal, repeating sounds or words in a loop to keep them in working memory while they are needed, the capacity of this loop is 2 seconds
• The working memory model: visuo-spatial sketchpad

  -second slave system, stores visual and or spatial info when required

  -eg if asked how many windows are in your house you count by visualising it

  -limited capacity which baddeley 2003 is about 3 or 4 objects

  -robert logie 1995 divided vss into the visual cache which stores visual data and the inner scribe which records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
• The working memory model: episodic buffer

  -3rd slave system, added to the model by baddelely 2000, temporary store for info integrating the visual, spatial and verbal info processed by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing- recording events that are happening

  -seen as a storage component of the central executive

  -limited capacity of about 4 chunks baddeley 2012

  -eb links working memory to long term memory and wider cognitive processes such as perception