Working memory model

• working memory model

  Baddeley and Hitch- 1974

  focuses on short term memory

  consists of:

  • central executive
  • phonological loop
  • visa-spatial sketchpad
• Central executive 


  Control centre of the WMM, supervisory function and controls Slave systems

  Limited capacity

  any sensory modality
• Phonological loop 


  Temporary storage for verbal info for verbal information, held in speech based info - also contains articulatory control system and phonological store

  limited capacity

  acoustic information
• Visuo-spatial sketchpad


  Temporary storage system for visual and spatial information. Can be broken down into inner scribe and visual cache

  limited capacity

  visual and spatial info
• Case support - patient KF


  Injured in a motorcycle accident

  was able to recall stored info from his LTM but had issues with STM

  Able to remember visual images, including faces but unable to remember sounds

  supports slave systems
• Dual task support - Baddeley and hitch 


  When both tasks require the participant to use their phonogical loop their ability to perform the task is impaired

  gowever whe one uses phonogical loop and the other requires visio-spatial sketchpad then performance isn’t impaired
• Only focuses on STM


  Link between wmm and ltm isn’t fully explained

  wmm provides detailed description of stm but no info on how info is processed

  wmm is an incomplete model