Working Model Of Memory AO1

• Working model of memory

  Proposed by BADDELEY AND HITCH in the 1970s as an updated version of how STM works
• Working memory (WM)


  • Active processor
  • Has four main components
• Central Executive


  • In charge
  • Divides attention
  • Involved in logic and reasoning
  • Has limited capacity
  • Coding is modality free
• Phonological Loop


  • Subdivided into Phonological Store (inner ear) which stores speech form and Articulatory Process (inner voice) which allows for maintenance rehearsal
  • Coding is acoustic
  • Capacity is what can be said in 2 seconds
• Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad


  • Codes visually
  • Capacity of 3-4 items
  • Temporary storage of visual and spatial info
  • Includes Visual Cache (visual data) and Inner Scribe (records arrangement of objects in visual field)
• Episodic Buffer


  • Added by Baddely in 2000
  • Synthesises information from other stores
  • Capacity of about 4 chunks
  • Codes modality free
  • Provides link to LTM