WMM

• (AO1) What is the Working Memory Model?

  This is a model of short term memory, describing it as an active process
• (AO1) Draw the Working Memory Model diagram

  The diagram:

  
• (AO1) Define the central executive (x2) and state its capacity and coding

  Directs attention to other ‘slave systems’

  Determines which resources are allocated

  Has a small capacity = cannot attend to many things at once

  Coding = any sensory modality
• (AO1) Define the visuospatial sketchpad (x2) and state its capacity and coding

  Used for planning tasks

  Consists of the inner scribe and visual cache (storage)

  Visual = what things look like

  Spatial = how they relate to each other

  Limited capacity

  Coding = visual and spatial information
• (AO1) Define the phonological loop (x2), explain its two parts, its capacity and coding

  Deals with auditory information

  Preserves the order of information

  Made up of two parts:

  The phonological store = holds the words you hear (the ‘inner ear’)

  The articulatory process = is used for words that are heard/seen (the ‘inner voice’)

  These words are silently repeated = is a form of maintenance rehearsal

  This acoustic store = limited capacity

  Coding = Acoustic information
• (AO1) Define the episodic buffer (x2) and state its capacity

  Integrates information from other components as well as LTM.

  Is the general store of STM

  Limited capacity but is larger than other temporary stores.
• (AO3) Give a strength point of WMM using case study of patient KF

  Point: Support for WMM comes from case study patient KF

  
  

  Evidence:

  Motorcycle accident

  Was able to recall stored information from his LTM, but had issues with STM.

  Was able to remember visual images (incl. faces) but was unable to remember sounds (acoustic information).

  
  

  Evaluation:

  This suggests that there are at least 2 components within STM,  one for visual and acoustic.

  The research into KF supports the WMM + the idea of a multi-component STM system
• (AO3) Strength of WMM - dual tasks Baddeley & Hitch

  Point: Dual tasks - two at same time.

  
  

  Evidence: One condition: ppts completed 2 acoustic based tasks e.g. remembering series of digits and doing verbal reasoning at same time. Other condition: complete one acoustic based task e.g. remembering series of digits and copying a drawing. When both require ppt to use PL (remember numbers) and other VS (copy drawing) – performance not impaired

  
  

  Evaluate: Show existence of multiple components within STM & support idea of separate PL and VS
• (AO3) Give a limitation point of WMM using the fact that it only focuses on STM.

  Point: It only focuses on STM, and the link between the WMM and LTM is not fully explained.

  Evidence:

  The WMM provides a detailed description of our STM, but no information is processed and transferred from STM to LTM and back again.

  Evaluate:

  The WMM is an incomplete model of memory and other theories/models are required to gain a complete picture of this complex cognitive phenomenon.