Working memory model

• Working memory model(Baddeley & Hitch 1974)


  An improved version of the multi-store model
• Why was the working memory model developed?

  Arose due to dispute of the STM being a unitary store
• Short-term memory store


  Passive store that just holds information and passes it on to long-term memory
• Working memory model

  An active processor that can process and combine multiple types of information
• Components of the working memory model

  • Central executive
  • Visuospatial sketchpad
  • Phonological loop
  • Episodic buffer
  • Long term memory
• Central executive


  • Supervisory component
  • Delegates info to slave systems
  • Processes info from the 5 senses
  • Limited capacity
  • Co-ordinates STM activity
• Phonological loop


  • Stores and processes auditory info
  • Phonological loop: holds auditory info (inner ear)
  • Articulatory loop: rehearses words to speak (inner voice)
  • limited capacity
• Parts of the phonological loop


  • Phonological store (inner ear that holds words heard)
  • Articulatory process (inner voice used for maintenance rehearsal)
• Visuospatial sketchpad


  • Inner eye
  • Temporary store for visual and spatial info
  • Limited capacity
• Episodic buffer


  • Integrates and stores information from CE, PL, and the VSS
  • Retrieves info from LTM
  • Added in 2000
• what is the Dual task technique?

  • simultaneous multitasking using different areas of the brain
  • wont work if tasks are from the same store
• Strengths of WMM?

  • KF case study of verbal STM deficit but not visual and acoustic is evidence for the WMM
  • PET (positron emission tomography) shows Visuo-spatial sketchpad activity in visual tasks
  • Brain scans show episodic buffer in prefrontal cortex
• Weaknesses of WMM?

  • Doesn't explain music processing, Berz 1995 participants listened to instrumental music while performing acoustic tasks