Working Memory Model

• Components of the WMM:

  A) Modality

  B) attention

  C) verbal

  D) voice

  E) phonological

  F) 2000

  G) phonological

  H) acoustic

  I) ear

  J) Visuospatial

  K) visual

  L) spatial

  
• Working Memory Model

  • Three main systems:
  • Central executive
  • Two slave systems for processing verbal (phonological loop) and visual (visuospatial sketchpad)
  • Based on weaknesses of MSM, which was too simplistic for STM
  • People confused when asked to listen or look at two things at once
  • Asked for only one thing
  • Fine as acoustic and visual information
  • Processed separately, preventing overload and improving performance
• Slave Systems:

  Visuospatial Sketchpad (VSSP)

  • Temporarily manipulates visual/spatial information
  • Used for mental rotation tasks and giving directions
  • Stores
  • Passive: Visual Cache (“Inner Eye”)
  • Active : “Inner Scribe”

  Phonological Loop

  • Temporarily holds verbal information
  • 2 sub-components
  • Capacity: 2 audio seconds
  • Maintain information order (sub-vocalising)
  • Phonological Store
  • Primary acoustic store
  • “Inner Ear”
  • Passive store
  • Acoustic encoding
  • Articulatory Rehearsal System
  • “Inner Voice”
  • Active store
  • Uses sub-vocalising to revive memory traces
  • Maintain in STM
• Components:

  Central Executive

  • Supervisor over two slave systems
  • Processes and filters sensory information (modality-free)
  • From sensory register
  • Limited capacity (4)
  • Can divide, focus, and switch attention
  • Act as control system, but no storage

  2000, Baddeley added 4th component: Episodic buffer

  • Transfer system between components and LTM
  • Enables tasks combining visual and verbal information
  • Maintains time sequencing, links to cognitive processes
  • Do not refer to if asked to explain 1974