WMM (Baddeley and Hitch 1974)

• what is it?

  development of MSM as it was too simplistic and STM is not a unitary store. WMM temporarily store and manipulate info being used.

  • can be used to remember lists, numbers, sequence of words ect.
  • can forget due to distraction, overload, overwork
• central executive?

  running of memory system.

  • decided what info to pay attention to/ignore and allocates info to slave systems
• phonological loop?

  spoken and written info, two stores:

  • phonological store (inner ear, speech perception) holds info in speech based form for 1-2 seconds. any written words have to be converted to spoken code before they enter the store.
  • articulatory rehearsal system (inner voice, speech production) stores verbal info. holds info for longer than usual, written material converted to spoken code
• visuospatial sketchpad?

  stores visual and spatial info, helps navigation and stopping us from bumping into things.
• evidence?

  • dual task experiments, Baddeley and Hitch (76) Ps memory was impaired when only using VSSP during dual task of tracking moving light on screen whilst imagining capital F (VALIDITY)
  • same above with Robbins (96) but with using 2 different stores simultaneously. Ps asked to replicate chess positions. doing task with VSSP worsened performance but task with phon loop left performance unaffected.
  • neuropsychological evidence with PET scans shows different areas of brain being used.
• evidence using case studies?

  KF suffered impared STM after motorcycle accident which damaged his parietal lobe.

  • digit span of 1 but had an intact visual store, meaning there are separate sub systems
• methodology?

  • lab experiments use standardised procedures meaning it can be replicated and able to manipulate IV meaning cause and effect links can be inferred (credible).
  • episodic buffer was added in 2000, psychology as a science develops overtime.
  • lab experiments are artificial (Baddeley and Hitch tracing a letter F whilst tracking a moving light) so may not reflect memory in every day life.
  • incomplete, no evidence of how the central executive works and it doesn't explain sensory or long term memory.
• applications?

  suggests strategies to improve memory and learning. can also help children with memory impairments and people with alzheimers.
• alternative theory of WMM?

  multistore model of memory