Working Memory model

• What is working memory

  using out STM when we are working on a task and both processing and storing information simultaneously
• What is the working memory model

  Designed by Baddeley and Hitch

  alternative to the MSM which was thought to underestimate complexities Of the STM

  explains how STM works

  active system
• Layout of WMM


  The central executive is linked to the three resources (slave systems) : Phonological loop, Episodic buffer and Visuo-spatial sketchpad which all then go on to the LTM
• Central Executive


  Directs attention to particular tasks and determines how brains resources are directed to tasks

  the resources are three slave systems

  has limited capacity and cannot store too much data at once
• Slave systems


  Recieve data from the senses, Central executive and LTM

  phonological loop, Visuo-spatial sketchpad and Episodic buffer

  each works independently and has separate responsibilities
• Phonological Loop


  deals with sound information, further divided into :

  Phonological store - hold the word you hear, like an inner ear

  Articulatory process - used for words you see or hear and repeats them to keep the sound in working memory. 2 second duration
• Visuo-spatial sketchpad

  Temporarily stores visual and spacial information

  capacity of 3 - 4 items. Further divided into :

  Visual cache- stores the visual info

  Inner scribe- deals with spatial objects and arrangements of objects
• Episodic buffer


  More of a general store of information

  Holds both visual and acoustic but needs to be processed with information from the LTM to make sense

  capacity of 4
• Evaluation of the WMM : strengths

  Supporting case study : Shallice and Warrington studied KF who suffered brain damage. He had poor STM ability for verbal information but processed info normally when presented visuall. Supporting the WMM as the phonological and visual info are processed differently
• Evaluation of the WMM : Limitations

  Methological Limitations: case studies are based on an individual which are unique to the individual who have brain damage

  makes it difficult to generalise the information to everyone