Working Memory Model

Introduction

• Discusses the working memory model, an improvement on the short-term memory store from the multi-store model.
• Explains how the brain holds and processes auditory and visual information in short-term memory.

Differences Between Short-Term Memory and Working Memory

• Short-Term Memory Store Criticisms:
  • Not unitary; not just a passive station for information.
  • Working memory is an active processor, not just a passive store.

Components of the Working Memory Model

1. Central Executive:

   • Controls attention and information from the senses.
   • Limited capacity and can only hold one type of information at a time.
   • Controls subsystems: Visuospatial Sketchpad, Phonological Loop, Episodic Buffer.

2. Phonological Loop:

   • Processes auditory information.
   • Consists of Phonological Store (inner ear) and Articulatory Process (inner voice).
   • Capacity: amount that can be said in two seconds.

3. Visuospatial Sketchpad:

   • Processes visual and spatial information (inner eye).
   • Can be broken down into Visual Cache (passive store for forms/colors) and Inner Scribe (active store for object relationships in 3D space).

4. Episodic Buffer:

   • Added in 2000 to explain integration of information from multiple sources.
   • Combines information from visual, acoustic, and long-term memory stores.

Evaluation of the Working Memory Model

• Dual Task Performance Study:

  • Shows separation between slave systems.
  • Participants performed better when tasks were different (visual vs. verbal).

• Case Study: KF:

  • Brain injury affected verbal but not visual short-term memory.
  • Suggests separate processes for phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.

• Brain Scanning Evidence:

  • FMRI shows episodic buffer's location in the prefrontal cortex.
  • Activation occurs when information is integrated.

• Word Length Effect Study:

  • People remember more short monosyllabic words.
  • Supports phonological loop capacity as two seconds.

Criticisms and Additional Evaluations

• Central Executive:

  • Not fully operationalized; acts like a homunculus.
  • Baddeley acknowledges issues and suggests further research.

• Accuracy of Working Memory Model:

  • More accurate than short-term memory store; describes as active processor.

• Reliance on Laboratory Studies:

  • Good internal validity but potentially low external validity.
  • Tasks lack mundane realism; may not generalize to real life.

• Inference in Cognitive Psychology:

  • Observations are made and inferences drawn, which could be incorrect.

Conclusion

• Extensive content can be overwhelming; focus on key ideas and evaluations.
• Practice exam questions to reinforce understanding.

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• Advice for Study:

  • Pick comfortable ideas and evaluations.
  • Shape knowledge to answer questions effectively.

• Additional Resources:

  • Psych Boost patrons have access to a tutorial and model answers.

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