Working Memory Model

• a representation of how short term memory is organised and how it functions
• it's an active processor of different types of information using subunits that are coordinated by a central decision-making system
• concerned with memory that you use when you are working on a complex task
• central executive

  • coordinates the activities of the sub systems
  • monitors data from the senses and LTM, makes decisions and allocates the slave systems to tasks
  • limited processing capacity and has none for storing data
• phonological loop

  • processes information in terms of sound and preserves the order in which information arrives
  • phonological store - stores what you hear
  • articulatory control system - words you hear or see, allows maintenance rehearsal, capacity is 2 seconds of what you say
  • contributes to our learning of language, access LTM store and retrieves information about language sounds
• visuo-spatial sketch pad

  • processes visual and spatial information
  • spatial information is the physical relationship between things
  • limited capacity (3 or 4 objects)
  • visual cache - stores visual data
  • inner scribe - records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
  • contributes to visual semantics
  • can access the LTM store
• episodic buffer

  • holds information with both visual and acoustic information
  • brings together material from other slave systems into a single memory rather than separate strands
  • records events that are happening
  • limited capacity (4 chunks)
  • provides a bridge between working memory and LTM sending information to LTM
• it's machine reductionist