The working memory model
-focuses on the subdivisions in the short term memory- disagreeing with the multi
store model of memory
Baddeley and Hitch (1974) introduced the working model of memory - explanation of
how one aspect of memory (STM) is organised and how it functions
WMM- concerned with the “mental space” that is active when we are temporarily
storing and manipulating information, for example, when working on an arithmetic
problem or playing chess
The model consist of four main components each of which is qualitatively different-
especially in terms of coding and capacity
Central executive- (the boss)
“Supervisory” role
It monitors incoming data,focuses and divides our limited attention and allocates
subsystems to tasks. Makes decisions and Allocates slave systems to tasks .The CE
has a very limited processing capacity and does not store information. Not limited
to sight or sound or any one sense since it needs to manipulate all manner of info-
modality free
Phonological loop (slave system)
⁃ this is one of the subsystems.holds words and rehearses them
⁃ -it deals with acoustic info(sounds that you both hear and read)
⁃ The coding is acoustic
⁃ Subdivided into two stores:
⁃ The phonological store: stores the words that you hear/read
⁃ Articulately process:allows maintenance rehearsal (repeating sounds or
worda “loop”to keep them in the working memory while they are needed and preserving
the order in which info arrived). INNER VOICE.The capacity of this loop is thought
to be worth “2 seconds” of what you can say
Visuo-spatial sketchpad (slave systems)
The second subsystem is the visuo spatial sketchpad (VSS). Hold static images and
manipulate them.The VSS stores visual and/or spatial information when required. For
example, if you are asked to wrok out how many doors there are in your home, you
visualise it. It also has a limited capacity, which is about 3 or 4 objects
(according to Baddeley). Codes visually .
Robert Logie subdivided the VSS into
-visual cache- stores visual data
-inner scribe- records the arrangement of objects in the visual field . 3 or 4
object capacity eg.driving - how close am i to the car next to me?
Episodic buffer (Slave systems)
⁃ added to the model by Baddeley (2000)
⁃ Temporary store of info,integrating the visual,spatial and verbal info
processed by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing- basically
recording events (episodes) that are happening. It can be seen as the storage
component of the central executive and has a limited capacity of about 4 chunks.
The episodic buffer links working memory to long term memory and wider cognitive
processes such as perception. Modality free
According to Baddeley and Hitch’s working memory model, when a person is doing a
verbal task, the phonological loop is more active as it holds words ad rehearses
them. The phonological loop is divided into two stores so during the verbal task,
the phonological store would be active as it stores the words you hear and read.
When a person is doing a visual task, the visuo-spatial sketchpad would be more
active as it stores visual information however within the VSS there are two stores
-focuses on the subdivisions in the short term memory- disagreeing with the multi
store model of memory
Baddeley and Hitch (1974) introduced the working model of memory - explanation of
how one aspect of memory (STM) is organised and how it functions
WMM- concerned with the “mental space” that is active when we are temporarily
storing and manipulating information, for example, when working on an arithmetic
problem or playing chess
The model consist of four main components each of which is qualitatively different-
especially in terms of coding and capacity
Central executive- (the boss)
“Supervisory” role
It monitors incoming data,focuses and divides our limited attention and allocates
subsystems to tasks. Makes decisions and Allocates slave systems to tasks .The CE
has a very limited processing capacity and does not store information. Not limited
to sight or sound or any one sense since it needs to manipulate all manner of info-
modality free
Phonological loop (slave system)
⁃ this is one of the subsystems.holds words and rehearses them
⁃ -it deals with acoustic info(sounds that you both hear and read)
⁃ The coding is acoustic
⁃ Subdivided into two stores:
⁃ The phonological store: stores the words that you hear/read
⁃ Articulately process:allows maintenance rehearsal (repeating sounds or
worda “loop”to keep them in the working memory while they are needed and preserving
the order in which info arrived). INNER VOICE.The capacity of this loop is thought
to be worth “2 seconds” of what you can say
Visuo-spatial sketchpad (slave systems)
The second subsystem is the visuo spatial sketchpad (VSS). Hold static images and
manipulate them.The VSS stores visual and/or spatial information when required. For
example, if you are asked to wrok out how many doors there are in your home, you
visualise it. It also has a limited capacity, which is about 3 or 4 objects
(according to Baddeley). Codes visually .
Robert Logie subdivided the VSS into
-visual cache- stores visual data
-inner scribe- records the arrangement of objects in the visual field . 3 or 4
object capacity eg.driving - how close am i to the car next to me?
Episodic buffer (Slave systems)
⁃ added to the model by Baddeley (2000)
⁃ Temporary store of info,integrating the visual,spatial and verbal info
processed by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing- basically
recording events (episodes) that are happening. It can be seen as the storage
component of the central executive and has a limited capacity of about 4 chunks.
The episodic buffer links working memory to long term memory and wider cognitive
processes such as perception. Modality free
According to Baddeley and Hitch’s working memory model, when a person is doing a
verbal task, the phonological loop is more active as it holds words ad rehearses
them. The phonological loop is divided into two stores so during the verbal task,
the phonological store would be active as it stores the words you hear and read.
When a person is doing a visual task, the visuo-spatial sketchpad would be more
active as it stores visual information however within the VSS there are two stores
