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Working Memory Model (WMM) - Coggle Diagram
Working Memory Model (WMM)
Facts
Created by Baddeley and Hitch (1974)
Developed as a way to understand the short term memory (STM)
Separate parts, NOT a unitary store unlike the Multi-store memory (MSM)
Made up of a Central executive and 3 slave systems; visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS), phonological loop (PL), episodic buffer (EB)
Each component has a limited capacity because they are all separate parts that make up the STM
Central Executive (CE)
Research to support (Bunge 2000)
Study- An MRI scanner was used to which parts of the brain were most active when participants were performing a single task and then also two tasks at once
Findings- There was significantly more activity in the brain when two tasks were being performed, which meant there was more of an increase demand for attention when performing two tasks simultaneously.
Strengths of the CE
Tells us about each process of the STM and how they are coordinated. The CE is very flexible and is used to explain different memory functions
The CE drives the whole sytem and is responsible for directing attention to certain slave systems and gives priority to particular activities.
Weaknesses of the CE
The CE is not explained enough as it is likely that the CE is made up of separate parts as well as being the component that drives the system, so it would need further researching
Visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSS)
The VSS is the first slave system and is responsible for dealing with visual and spatial information. It can be split into two separate parts; the Visual Cache Function (stores information of what we can see) and the Inner Scribe Function (records the relationship and arrangement between objects)
Research to support (Klauer and Zhao 2004)
Study- Asked participants to carry out either a visual task or a spatial task. At the same time they were completing one of these tasks they were also instructed to complete either a visual or spatial task at the same time as a way to test the interference.
Findings- They found that participants found it more difficult to complete either two visual tasks at the the same time or two spatial tasks at the same time. This is evidence for the VSS having two separate functions; Visual Cache and Inner Scribe
Strengths of the VSS
Explains how visual information can be processed at the same time as auditory and it also explains the processes of STM such as the maintenance rehearsal (inner scribe)
Weaknesses of the VSS
This implies that all information starts visual and then turns spatial which is unlikely to be true. Its too vague and needs more explaining
Phonological Loop (PL)
Weaknesses of the PL
This component contains very vague descriptions of the PL and the connection to the CE are not fully explained so would need further research
The PL is the second slave system and it deals with information and the ordering of that information, it is made up of two functions; the Phonological Store (inner ear, refers to the store of what you can hear) and the Articulatory Loop (inner voice, refers to the rehearsal of words s that they can stay in your memory)
Strengths of the PL
Explains how someone can process auditory and visual information at the same time in the STM.
Reseacrch to support (Baddeley 1975)
Study- Participants were given visual presentations of 5 word lists for a brief amount of time beginning with one syllable words then moving to two syllable words, they were told to write them words in order they heard them in
Findings- The study showed that the better active recall prioritised the short words because the capacity is determined by length of time to say the words rather than number of items. So is evidence for storing what you hear from how you have heard it and storing by amount of syllable and time it takes to say it rather than a set amount of words to remember.
Episodic Buffer (EB)
The model was updated by Baddeley in 2000 where he added the EB. The EB is the component that links to the long term memory (LTM) with general storage for both acoustic and visual information. During retrieval of information from the LTM the EB is responsible for piecing the memory back together by combining all of the information from the CE, VSS and PL
Strengths of the EB
Explains how memories are retrieved from the LTM and how they are processed/ stored. Explain the complexity of the WMM because the model didn't have this before it was added in 2000
Research to support (Alkhakifa 2009)
Study- They used a patient wo had severely impacted LTM and made them complete a task that tested their capacity for both LTM and STM
Findings- They found that the capacity of the STM was up to 25 items which exceeds the capacity of both PL and VSS so the EB would need to buffer it
Weaknesses of the EB
This component has little information and is not fully understood, this lack of research impacts the credibility for the WMM ad more research is needed
Strengths and weakneses of the WMM
Strengths
There is lots of research to support (scientific and naturalistic)
Has practical applications in todays society
Weaknesses
There are theoretical flaws
There is contradictory research
The evidence to support comes from artificial lab experiments