Psychology Working Memory Model

Questions and Answers

What does the working memory model focus on?

The active nature of the short term memory.

Which components make up the working memory model?

Central Executive (correct)

Phonological Loop (correct)

Long Term Memory

Visuospatial Sketchpad (correct)

The central executive is associated with problem solving.

True

What additional component did Baddeley add to the working memory model in 2000?

Episodic Buffer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following provides evidence for the existence of the central executive?

Braver's PET scan study Signup and view all the answers

What did the case study of KF reveal about short-term memory?

It showed that short-term memory is not a unitary store. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for developing the working memory model?

To account for dual task performance. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did articulatory suppression have on the participants in Baddeley's experiment?

It prevented the rehearsal of shorter words, causing no significant difference in recall between short and long words. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Working Memory Model Overview

The working memory model (WMM) describes short-term memory as an active process rather than a passive storage system.
Components of WMM include:
- Central Executive: Manages the allocation of data and coordinates between phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad.
- Phonological Loop: Handles auditory information with two parts:
  - Phonological Store: Retains auditory memories for seconds.
  - Articulatory Rehearsal Process: Rehearses verbal information.
- Visuospatial Sketchpad: Responsible for visual and spatial information processing.
- Episodic Buffer: Added by Baddeley in 2000 to integrate information from subsystems and acts as a temporary storage.

PEELS Evaluation of WMM

Central Executive Lacks Clarity: Suggested that a single central executive concept may be insufficient; may involve multiple components.
Case Study of KF: Demonstrated that verbal and visual memory components are distinct; KF's phonological loop was impaired while his visuospatial sketchpad remained intact.
Physical Evidence: Braver’s PET scans indicated high activity in the prefrontal cortex during reasoning tasks, supporting the existence of the central executive.
Baddeley’s Word Length Effect: Found participants struggled with longer words in memory tasks, reinforcing the phonological loop's limitations. Articulatory suppression demonstrated how rehearsing impacts recall.
Dual Task Performance: Hitch and Baddeley's study illustrated performance differences when executing dual tasks, confirming the functioning of the central executive in dividing attention.

Central Executive Complexity

Criticism arose due to the failure of a single central executive to account for complex behaviors; evidence from EVR suggested that components may not be fully understood.

Support from KF Case Study

KF's motorcycle accident resulted in selective short-term memory impairment, providing evidence that WMM posits multiple distinct memory stores rather than a singular entity.

Scientific Basis for WMM

The empirical approach, including neuroimaging studies, strengthens psychological claims about memory and cognitive functions, positioning psychology as a scientific discipline.

Description

This quiz explores the working memory model (WMM) as a framework for understanding short-term memory. It details the components of WMM - the visuospatial sketchpad, central executive, and phonological loop, highlighting their functions in real-life tasks. Perfect for students studying psychology concepts related to memory.