Evaluate the Working memory model (WMM): (8)
● (4) Explain WMM
● (4) Evaluate WMM - strengths and weaknesses
● Balanced response
Phonological loop:
The phonological loop deals with auditory information and the order of information.
Baddeley and Hitch divided the phonological loop into two components, the
phonological store and the articulatory control process. The Phonological store is the
inner each and it holds information in speech based form for 1-2 seconds. The
articulatory control process is the inner voice and is used to rehearse verbal
information from the phonological store. Memory traces in the auditory store decay in
1.5-2 seconds but can be maintained by the articulatory control process. The
phonological loop has a very limited capacity.
SODA:
There is research support for the Working Memory Model giving it external reliability.
This means there is consistency in findings across different studies. An example of a
supporting study is the KF case study. The working memory model was used to
understand more about a clinical memory disorder called amnesia. KF had poor
short term memory for auditory/ sound information but could process visual
information relatively normally. This means KF’s phonological loop had been
damaged but his visuo-spatial sketchpad was intact. The WMM showed them that
amnesia does not affect all of the memory functions. One issue with relying on case
studies is that it can be difficult to generalise as they are all idiographic case studies
from a unique individual. This can make it difficult to compare with other people and
help with other cases. Despite this the working memory model is still a valid way to
describe memory as it can still be used to investigate instances of human behaviour
that are rare and can't be created in research labs.
● (4) Explain WMM
● (4) Evaluate WMM - strengths and weaknesses
● Balanced response
Phonological loop:
The phonological loop deals with auditory information and the order of information.
Baddeley and Hitch divided the phonological loop into two components, the
phonological store and the articulatory control process. The Phonological store is the
inner each and it holds information in speech based form for 1-2 seconds. The
articulatory control process is the inner voice and is used to rehearse verbal
information from the phonological store. Memory traces in the auditory store decay in
1.5-2 seconds but can be maintained by the articulatory control process. The
phonological loop has a very limited capacity.
SODA:
There is research support for the Working Memory Model giving it external reliability.
This means there is consistency in findings across different studies. An example of a
supporting study is the KF case study. The working memory model was used to
understand more about a clinical memory disorder called amnesia. KF had poor
short term memory for auditory/ sound information but could process visual
information relatively normally. This means KF’s phonological loop had been
damaged but his visuo-spatial sketchpad was intact. The WMM showed them that
amnesia does not affect all of the memory functions. One issue with relying on case
studies is that it can be difficult to generalise as they are all idiographic case studies
from a unique individual. This can make it difficult to compare with other people and
help with other cases. Despite this the working memory model is still a valid way to
describe memory as it can still be used to investigate instances of human behaviour
that are rare and can't be created in research labs.
