This document contains revision notes for the working memory model for AQA A level psychology for the topic of memory in paper 1. All content follows the AQA specification.
WMM is an explanation of how STM works.
It is concerned with the part of the mind that is active when we temporarily store
information. 4 main components, each different in terms of coding, capacity and duration.
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
- An attentional process, monitors incoming data.
- Decides how to process information, allocates slave systems to tasks.
- Limited processing capacity.
PHONOLOGICAL LOOP
- Slave system.
- Processes auditory information, preserves the order information arrives.
Phonological loop has two sub-divisions:
1. Phonological store: stores words you hear
2. Articulatory process: allows maintenance rehearsal, capacity of 2 sec of what you
say.
VISUOSPATIAL SKETCHPAD
- Slave system. Stores visual/spatial information. Capacity is 3-4 objects (Baddeley).
Logie sub-divided the visuo-spatial sketchpad:
1. Visual cache: stores visual data
2. Inner scribe: records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
EPISODIC BUFFER
- Added by Baddeley. Seen as the storage component of the central executive.
- Temporary store for information, integrating the visual, spatial and verbal
information processes by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing.
- Limited capacity of 4 chunks (Baddeley).
- Links working memory to LTM and wider cognitive processes.
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