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Working Memory Model: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Exam Questions

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Working Memory Model: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Exam Questions
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Ffion

@ffion_lm

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The working memory model is a cognitive framework that explains how information is temporarily stored and manipulated in the brain. This model, developed by Baddeley and Hitch, consists of multiple components that work together to process and retain information for short periods.

Key points:

  • The model includes the central executive, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketchpad
  • It explains dual-task performance in cognitive processing
  • The central executive's vague nature is a weakness of the model
  • Each component has specific functions and limitations

10/27/2022

186

Q1.
Explain one strength and one weakness of the working memory model.
(Total 4 marks)
One strength is that it explains dual tasu performanc

Working Memory Model Components and Evaluation

The working memory model, a crucial concept in cognitive psychology, consists of three main components: the central executive, the phonological loop, and the visuo-spatial sketchpad. Each of these plays a specific role in processing and storing information temporarily.

Central Executive

The central executive is the core component of the working memory model. It functions as an attentional control system, monitoring incoming data and deciding how to process it.

Definition: The central executive is an attentional process that allocates resources to tasks and controls the slave systems.

It has a limited capacity and is responsible for managing the other components of working memory.

Phonological Loop

The phonological loop is dedicated to processing auditory and verbal information. It is divided into two sub-components:

  1. The articulatory control system, which allows for maintenance rehearsal of acoustic information
  2. The phonological store, which stores the words you hear

Highlight: The phonological loop has a limited capacity and is crucial for language processing and comprehension.

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

This component is responsible for storing and manipulating visual and spatial information. It is divided into:

  1. The visual cache, which stores visual information
  2. The inner scribe, which stores the arrangement of objects in the visual field

Vocabulary: The visuo-spatial sketchpad is essential for tasks involving visual and spatial reasoning, such as navigation and object recognition.

Strengths and Weaknesses

One strength of the working memory model is its ability to explain dual-task performance. Research by Hitch and Baddeley demonstrated that participants struggle more with two simultaneous visual tasks than with a visual and verbal task combination. This supports the model's proposition of separate slave systems for different types of information.

Example: Performing two visual tasks simultaneously, like solving a puzzle while watching a silent film, is more challenging than combining a visual task with a verbal one, such as solving a puzzle while listening to music.

However, a significant weakness of the model lies in the vague nature of the central executive.

Highlight: The central executive's mechanisms are not fully explained, limiting our understanding of how working memory functions in detail.

This limitation suggests that while the working memory model provides a useful framework, there is still much to be discovered about the intricacies of cognitive processing and information manipulation in the brain.

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Knowunity is the # 1 ranked education app in five European countries

Knowunity was a featured story by Apple and has consistently topped the app store charts within the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the # 1 ranked education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average App Rating

13 M

Students use Knowunity

#1

In Education App Charts in 12 Countries

950 K+

Students uploaded study notes

Still not sure? Look at what your fellow peers are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much [...] I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a C to an A with it :D

Stefan S, iOS User

The application is very simple and well designed. So far I have found what I was looking for :D

SuSSan, iOS User

Love this App ❤️, I use it basically all the time whenever I'm studying

Working Memory Model: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Exam Questions

user profile picture

Ffion

@ffion_lm

·

378 Followers

Follow

The working memory model is a cognitive framework that explains how information is temporarily stored and manipulated in the brain. This model, developed by Baddeley and Hitch, consists of multiple components that work together to process and retain information for short periods.

Key points:

  • The model includes the central executive, phonological loop, and visuo-spatial sketchpad
  • It explains dual-task performance in cognitive processing
  • The central executive's vague nature is a weakness of the model
  • Each component has specific functions and limitations

10/27/2022

186

 

12/13

 

Psychology

11

Q1.
Explain one strength and one weakness of the working memory model.
(Total 4 marks)
One strength is that it explains dual tasu performanc

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Working Memory Model Components and Evaluation

The working memory model, a crucial concept in cognitive psychology, consists of three main components: the central executive, the phonological loop, and the visuo-spatial sketchpad. Each of these plays a specific role in processing and storing information temporarily.

Central Executive

The central executive is the core component of the working memory model. It functions as an attentional control system, monitoring incoming data and deciding how to process it.

Definition: The central executive is an attentional process that allocates resources to tasks and controls the slave systems.

It has a limited capacity and is responsible for managing the other components of working memory.

Phonological Loop

The phonological loop is dedicated to processing auditory and verbal information. It is divided into two sub-components:

  1. The articulatory control system, which allows for maintenance rehearsal of acoustic information
  2. The phonological store, which stores the words you hear

Highlight: The phonological loop has a limited capacity and is crucial for language processing and comprehension.

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

This component is responsible for storing and manipulating visual and spatial information. It is divided into:

  1. The visual cache, which stores visual information
  2. The inner scribe, which stores the arrangement of objects in the visual field

Vocabulary: The visuo-spatial sketchpad is essential for tasks involving visual and spatial reasoning, such as navigation and object recognition.

Strengths and Weaknesses

One strength of the working memory model is its ability to explain dual-task performance. Research by Hitch and Baddeley demonstrated that participants struggle more with two simultaneous visual tasks than with a visual and verbal task combination. This supports the model's proposition of separate slave systems for different types of information.

Example: Performing two visual tasks simultaneously, like solving a puzzle while watching a silent film, is more challenging than combining a visual task with a verbal one, such as solving a puzzle while listening to music.

However, a significant weakness of the model lies in the vague nature of the central executive.

Highlight: The central executive's mechanisms are not fully explained, limiting our understanding of how working memory functions in detail.

This limitation suggests that while the working memory model provides a useful framework, there is still much to be discovered about the intricacies of cognitive processing and information manipulation in the brain.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the # 1 ranked education app in five European countries

Knowunity was a featured story by Apple and has consistently topped the app store charts within the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the # 1 ranked education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average App Rating

13 M

Students use Knowunity

#1

In Education App Charts in 12 Countries

950 K+

Students uploaded study notes

Still not sure? Look at what your fellow peers are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much [...] I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a C to an A with it :D

Stefan S, iOS User

The application is very simple and well designed. So far I have found what I was looking for :D

SuSSan, iOS User

Love this App ❤️, I use it basically all the time whenever I'm studying