Working Memory Model

• Name the four main components of the WMM

  1. Central executive
  2. Phonological loop
  3. Visuo-spatial sketchpad
  4. Episodic buffer
• Outline the role of the central executive

  It has a supervisory function and directs attention to the slave systems
• Outline the role of the phonological loop

  Processes information in terms of sound (both written and verbal material)
• State and define the two-subcomponents of the phonological loop

  1. Articulatory control system('inner voice') - keeps info in PL through vocal repetition and is linked to speech
  2. Phonological store ('inner ear') - stores words recently heard for a short period of time
• Outline the role of the visuo-spatial sketchpad 


  Processes visual and spatial information in a mental space ('inner eye')
• State and define the two sub-components of the visuospatial sketchpad 


  1. Inner scribe - handles spatial relationships between objects
  2. Visual cache - processes visual info about form and colour of an object
• Outline the role of the episodic buffer

  Binds and integrates information from all of the slave systems and sub-components and sends information to the LTM
• Name and describe the study which investigated dual-task performance

  Baddeley et al (1975):

  • Participants had to carry out two tasks simultaneously
  • First, they were asked to track a dot of light whilst describing the letter 'F' (undertaking two visual tasks)
  • Then they were asked to carry out visual and verbal tasks simultaneously
  • Performance was worse when completing two visual tasks, compared to completing visual and verbal task
  • When completing two visual tasks they compete for limited resources of visuo-spatial sketchpad = support for WMM
• Central executive is too vague study support

  Eslinger and Damasio (1985)

  • studied Patient EVR who has a cerebral tumour removed.
  • Performed well on tests that required reasoning which suggested that his central executive was still intact.
  • However, he has poor decision-making skills, which suggests that in fact his central executive was not wholly intact.