Working Memory Model EXPLAINED | AQA Psychology | A-level

Summary

This video explores the Working Memory Model in psychology, expanding on the limitations of the Multi-Store Model. The Working Memory Model suggests that short-term memory not only stores but also processes information. It consists of four components: the phonological loop (handling sound-based information), the visuospatial sketchpad (managing visual and spatial data), the central executive (controlling attention and task management), and the episodic buffer (integrating information from long-term and short-term memory). Practical examples, like reading or navigating familiar spaces, demonstrate how these components interact in real-world scenarios.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The working memory model is an advanced version of the multi-store model, addressing how short-term memory not only stores but processes information.
• 🎧 The phonological loop, responsible for processing sound-based information, has two subcomponents: the articulatory control process (inner voice) and the phonological store (inner ear).
• 📚 The articulatory control process helps rehearse verbal sounds, useful for speech preparation and reading tasks.
• 👂 The phonological store focuses on sound perception, helping retain information through rehearsal.
• 👁️ The visuospatial sketchpad, also known as the inner eye, processes visual and spatial information, helping visualize objects and locations.
• 👨‍🏫 Dual coding, combining visual and phonological information, improves understanding by using both systems in the working memory.
• 👨‍💼 The central executive, like a manager, controls the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad, deciding what to prioritize and pay attention to.
• 🔄 In 2000, Baddeley added the episodic buffer to the working memory model, explaining how it integrates information from both working and long-term memory.
• 🧑‍🎓 The episodic buffer acts as a backup store, handling visual and verbal information and linking long-term memory with working memory.
• 🪟 The working memory model components work together during tasks, such as counting windows in your house, by using visual, verbal, and executive functions simultaneously.

Q & A

What is the working memory model?

The working memory model is a theory that suggests short-term memory not only stores information but also processes it. It includes different components that manage different types of information and tasks.

How does the working memory model differ from the multi-store model?

The multi-store model proposed that short-term memory is a single store, while the working memory model suggests that short-term memory has multiple components that not only store information but also manipulate it.

What are the four components of the working memory model?

The four components of the working memory model are the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad, the central executive, and the episodic buffer.

What is the phonological loop and what are its subcomponents?

The phonological loop is responsible for processing sound-based information. It has two subcomponents: the articulatory control process (inner voice) that rehearses verbal sounds, and the phonological store (inner ear) that receives and stores sounds.

How does the phonological loop function in reading?

The phonological loop helps us read by using the articulatory control process to mentally 'speak' the words and the phonological store to perceive and store the sounds, allowing us to think in words.

What is the visuospatial sketchpad?

The visuospatial sketchpad, also called the inner eye, is responsible for processing visual and spatial information. It allows us to see objects in our mind's eye and understand their spatial relationships.

How can teachers use the knowledge of the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad to enhance student understanding?

Teachers can enhance understanding by combining visual and phonological information, such as using images that relate to what is being explained verbally, which makes use of both components of working memory.

What role does the central executive play in the working memory model?

The central executive is responsible for managing and controlling the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad. It decides what to pay attention to and allocates resources to different tasks, acting as the main control system.

What is the episodic buffer and why was it added to the model?

The episodic buffer is a component that integrates information from all parts of working memory, as well as from long-term memory. It was added to account for how sound and visual information could be combined and how long-term memories could be used in working memory.

Can you explain an example where all components of the working memory model are used?

When asked to count the windows in your home, the episodic buffer recalls your home's image from long-term memory, the visuospatial sketchpad helps you visualize the windows, the phonological loop is used to count them, and the central executive manages all these processes to complete the task.