working memory model

• central executive

  • system that controls cognitive processes
  • controls and co-ordinates other slave units
  • able to process information from any of the senses
• phonological loop

  • stores and controls verbal/auditory information
  • articulatory loop= voices information you are rehearsing (subvocalising)
  • primary acoustic store = holds on to the memory of sounds
• episodic buffer

  • this buffer integrates information from the other components and provides a link to long-term memory
• visuospatial sketchpad

  • responsible for storing and manipulating visual and spatial information, including spatial relationships, objects, and their properties
• evidence (evaluation)

  • baddeley and hitch (1974)
  • supports the WMM
  • participants performed a verbal reasoning task whilst reciting random digits
  • task involved 2 components (phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad)
• application (evaluation)

  • practical applications in understanding cognitive disorders
  • research on dyslexia links impairment in phonological loop to difficulties with reading and verbal memories
  • helps develop tailored teaching strategies e.g. visual aids/chunking techniques
• contrasting theories

  • MSM provides an alternative explanation
  • MSM sees STM as one store, unlike WMM
  • however, WMM explains concepts like multitasking better than MSM
• how strong is the evidence

  • lab experiment
  • low ecological validity
  • limits real world application of findings of memory