Outline and evaluate the working
memory model (16 marks) Questions &
Answers Correct!!
A01 - key features of WMM - ANSWERSThe working memory model, developed by
Baddeley and Hitch, expands upon the short-term memory store in the multi-store
model and consists of four subcomponents. The phonological loop, responsible for the
order of information, auditory information, and subvocal rehearsal, has two
subcomponents: the primary acoustic store and the articulatory process. The
visuospatial sketchpad, with its inner scribe and visual cache, stores visual and spatial
information for an ongoing task. The episodic buffer, a multimodal store, combines
information from all five senses to create a memory of an experience. The central
executive, responsible for allocating attention between stores, can become overloaded
if it receives too much information and is not considered a store. The model provides a
framework for understanding the functioning of working memory.
A03 - experimental evidence - ANSWERSOne strength of the working memory model is
its empirical support. For example, Baddeley's dual task study demonstrated that
performing two tasks simultaneously that require the same component of working
memory, such as tracking a point of light while completing a visual imagery task, leads
to a decrease in performance. This suggests that the phonological loop and visuospatial
sketchpad are distinct systems and have limited capacities, supporting the assumptions
of the working memory model.
A03: Methodological issues - ANSWERSHowever, the methodology of these
experimental studies can be subject to criticism. Many of these studies lack ecological
validity and mundane realism. The results collected from lab experiments may not be
generalizable to other more naturalistic situations, which limits the external validity of
the model. Furthermore, experiments testing the working memory model are often
unlike how people use their memory in real life, which may raise questions about the
model's validity and its ability to explain how we use memory in everyday situations.
