The Working Memory Model (WMM) By Karys, Emily V, Dan C, Liam

Transcription

1 The Working Memory Model (WMM) By Karys, Emily V, Dan C, Liam

2 So what is the Working Memory Model? The Working Memory Model (WMM) is one explanation for how the short term memory (STM) functions and is organised. Developed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974), this model improves on the multi-store model (MSM) that describes stores as single units. Instead, the WMM takes into account research that has found STM to have subdivisions.

3 Try labelling the Working Memory Model from memory: 1 Central Executive Visuo-Spatial 2 sketchpad (VSS) Okay, so what do all 6 Episodic Buffer Phonological Loop (PL) Articulatory control system these subdivisions do? 3 Phonological store Long-term memory

4 Central Executive (CE) Central Executive Component that co-ordinates the activities of the three subsystems; VSS, PL, and Episodic buffer (all known as slave systems ). Monitors incoming data and allocates tasks to subsystems. Very limited capacity.

5 Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad (VSS) Visuo-Spatial sketchpad (VSS) Contributes to understanding of visual semantics - meanings of objects in our visual environment. Can access long-term memory (LTM) to store, retrieve and process visual and spatial information. Limited capacity; Baddeley (2003) claims it s about 3-4 objects. Logie (1995) subdivided it into: Visual cache - stores visual data Inner scribe - records arrangement of objects in visual field

6 Phonological loop (PL): Accesses LTM to store, retrieve and process auditory information, preserving the order it arrived. Coding is acoustic. PL subdivided into: Phonological store Stores words heard. Articulatory control system Allows maintenance rehearsal; repeating sounds in loop to keep them in WM whilst needed. Capacity of loop is 2 seconds worth of what can be said. Phonological Loop (PL) Articulat ory control system Phonolog ical store PL contributes to learning of language (phonology).

7 Episodic buffer Added to model by Baddeley (2000). Forms material from other subsystems together, to create a single memory Episodic Buffer consisting of visual, spatial and auditory information. Maintains sense of time sequence, essentially recording events ( episodes ) that happen. Provides storage for central executive. Limited capacity - about 4 chunks (Baddeley 2012). Episodic buffer links working memory to long-term memory (LTM).

8 Strengths: Brain scanning studies support existence of CE in WMM. Braver et al. (1997) gave their participants tasks involving the central executive whilst having a brain scan; found greater activity in prefrontal cortex, and activity increased as task got harder. Strength - scientific evidence supporting idea that as demands on central executive (CE )increase, has to work harder to fulfill function. Studies of dual-task performance support separate existence of visuo-spatial sketchpad. Baddeley et al. (1975) found participants had more difficulty doing two visual tasks (tracking light + describing letter F), than both a visual and verbal task at the same time. Strength - the ability to perform a verbal and visual task simultaneously, suggests there must be a separate slave system that processes visual input (VSS). Clinical evidence from Shallice and Warrington (1970) supports WMM. Case study of KF who had suffered amnesia, found he had poor STM ability for auditory information but could normally process visual information. Strength - supports existence of separate visual and auditory stores; KF s phonological loop damaged, visuo-spatial sketchpad undamaged.

9 Limitations: WMM has incomplete explanation, as there is lack of clarity over the central executive. Baddeley (2003) claims the central executive is the most important part of WMM, yet is the least understood. Limitation - the WMM can not be used to explain working memory effectively, if for example, the CE has subdivisions we are unaware of.

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11 Here are some outlines of the evaluation points that you will need to know: Strength > The case of KF supports separate STM stores. Limitation > There's a lack of clarity over the central executive. > Dual task performance studies support the visuo-spatial sketchpad. > There is support from brain scanning studies Now using these as a starting point, create an IDE.

12 working memory model Key words associated with WMM: Short-term memory (STM) Central executive Phonological loop Phonological store Articulatory control system Visuo-spatial sketchpad Visual cache Inner scribe Episodic buffer Baddeley and Hitch Slave systems Subdivisions Coding Capacity Acoustic Auditory Spatial Visual Visual semantics Phonology