Working Memory Model Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Central Executive in the Working Memory Model?

To direct attention to tasks (correct)

To process auditory information

To store long-term memory

To visualize spatial tasks

The Phonological Loop is responsible for visual information processing.

False

What happens to task performance when two tasks utilize the same STM store?

Performance is poorer.

The __________ is the capacity-limited system that processes auditory information in the Working Memory Model.

Phonological Loop Signup and view all the answers

Match the components of the Working Memory Model to their functions:

Central Executive = Direct attention to tasks Phonological Loop = Processes auditory information Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad = Handles visual tasks Articulatory Process = Maintains verbal rehearsal Signup and view all the answers

According to Hitch, when can two tasks be performed simultaneously without affecting performance?

When they use different components Signup and view all the answers

The Working Memory Model suggests that working memory is a unitary store.

False Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is demonstrated by the 'dual-task technique'?

Different STM stores process different types of memory. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is responsible for maintaining a sense of time sequencing in the working memory model?

Episodic buffer Signup and view all the answers

The central executive has a significant storage capacity for information.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two subdivisions of the visuo-spatial sketchpad proposed by Logie?

Visual-cache and Inner scribe Signup and view all the answers

The _____ controls the articulatory process for verbal information.

phonological loop Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the visuo-spatial sketchpad?

Processing visual and spatial information Signup and view all the answers

Match the following components of working memory with their functions:

Central executive = Integrates information from other areas Episodic buffer = Acts as a storage for integrated information Visuo-spatial sketchpad = Stores visual and spatial information Phonological loop = Stores verbal information Signup and view all the answers

Bryan can dual-task effectively while driving owing to the limited demands on his central executive.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Working Memory Model

The model focuses on short-term memory (STM)
It's not considered a unitary store, unlike the multi-store model
It details how STM is organized and functions
The STM model comprises four components

Components of the Working Memory Model

Central Executive:
- Directs attention to tasks, deciding what working memory attends to
- Controls "slave systems" (visuo-spatial sketchpad and phonological loop)
- Receives information from senses or long-term memory
- Has a limited capacity, attending to a finite number of things at once
Phonological Loop:
- Limited capacity dealing with auditory information
- Preserves word order
- Codes acoustically
- Subdivided into phonological store (holds heard words) and articulatory process/loop (for rehearsing heard/seen words, akin to inner speech)
Visuo-spatial Sketchpad:
- Stores visual and/or spatial information
- Visual component: processing what things look like
- Spatial component: processing relationships between things
- Limited capacity
- Further divided into visual cache (stores info like form and color) and inner scribe (stores spatial relations between objects)
Episodic Buffer:
- Added later by Baddeley
- A more general store (needed beyond the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad)
- Processes information from all other areas of working memory
- Integrates information from various components of working memory
- Has a limited capacity
- Maintains a sense of time sequencing (recording events)

Dual-Task Performance

If a task uses the same component/store, performance decreases compared to separate tasks
This is due to the limited capacity of that specific component
People can usually perform multiple tasks simultaneously if they use different components of working memory

Examples (Bryan and Bob)

Bryan, a five-year experienced driver, can hold conversations or listen to music whilst driving; this shows efficient use of different components (central executive, visuo-spatial sketchpad, phonological loop).
Bob, with only four driving lessons, struggles with dual-tasking. This suggests his central executive is struggling to divide resources effectively between the driving task and the instruction information

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Description

This quiz explores the Working Memory Model, focusing on its structure and components, including the Central Executive, Phonological Loop, and Visuo-spatial Sketchpad. Understand how short-term memory is organized and its functions beyond a mere unitary store. Test your knowledge on the intricacies of each component and their roles in memory processing.