4. The Working Memory Model

• 1. WMM

  Baddeley (1974):

  • WMM, STM separate stores.
  • Visual processing + sound processing.
• 2. WMM

  Central Executive:

  • ‘CEO’.
  • Oversees everything/tasks STM.
  • Determines use of ‘slave systems’.
  • 0 capacity.
• 3. WMM

  The Phonological Loop:

  • Slave system.
  • Limited capacity.

  1. Phonological Store - hold words hear.
  2. Articulatory Process - silent word loop (maintenance rehearsal).
• 4. WMM

  The Visualspatial Sketchpad:

  • Visual/spatial info stored (temporary).
  • Capacity 3-4 objects.

  1. Visual Cache - stores info e.g. colours.
  2. Inner Scribe - stores arrangement of objects (visual field).
• 5. WMM


  Episodic Buffer:

  • Combines info from CE, PL + VSS, while maintaining sense of time sequencing.
  • Stores info LTM.
• WMM (Evaluation)

  Strength:

  P - support from Shallice + Warrington (1970), KF.

  E - poor STM ability for auditory info but visual processing fine.

  E - recall letters/digits better when read himself that when read to him.

  L - phonological loop damaged, visual/acoustic intact; separate visual + acoustic memory stores.
• WMM (Evaluation)

  Limitation:

  P - KF may’ve had other cognitive impairments affecting memory.

  E - trauma from accident could’ve affected cognitive performance.

  L - challenges evidence from clinical studies, other factors.
• WMM (Evaluation)


  Strength:

  P - dual-task studies separate existence of visuospatial sketchpad (VSS).

  E - Baddeley (1975), visual/verbal tasks at same time; performance similar to when did separately.

  E - when both visual (or both verbal), performance declined bc both compete for same slave system whereas separately don’t.

  L - must be separate slave systems processing visual input (VSS) + one verbal process (PL).
• WMM (Evaluation)

  Limitation:

  P - lack clarity over nature of central executive.

  E - needs more specifying; psychologists believe CE has subcomponents.

  L - unsatisfactory component of WMM.