Alternatives to the multi store model of memory.

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The working memory model

The working memory model is the term used to refer to the part of memory used when working on a complex task which requires you to store information as you go along for e.g. when calculating a complex sum. Memory is active rather than passive and exists in the short term memory.

Here are four main components to the WM, these are the central executive (CE) the phonological loop (PL),the visuo-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) and the episodic buffer (EB).

The central executive:

the CE directs all attention to particular tasks an therefore drives the whole system. It is seen as the boss of the working memory and it drives the two slave systems. This also deals with cognitive tasks such as mental arithmetic and problem solving, however it has limited storage capacity. Other things it I responsible for are temptations and habits.

The phonological loop:

the PL deals with the auditory information such as spoken or written material and preserves the order of information. It is divided into two stores these are the phonological store and the articulatory control process (ACP).

The phonological; store is also known as the inner ear, it is often referred to as this as it holds speech based information such as words we hear for 1-2 seconds. The ACP is known as the inner voice and it rehearses information verbally and has a capacity of about 2 seconds. It can be thought of as the system used to mentally rehearse information such as the rehearsal mentally of a phone number.

The visuo-spatial sketch pad:

this is used when you have a plan a spatial task. When imagining an object and rotating it your VSSP is being used. It uses a visual code representing information in the form of its features such as size, shape and colour. Visual information is what things look like. Spatial information is about the position of objects in relation to each other.

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Logie suggested the VSSP can be divided in the visual cache which stores information about form and colour and the inner scribe which deals with spatial and movement information.

The episodic buffer

this has a limited capacity, it integrates information from the CE,the PL and the VSSP as well as information from the long term memory. It can be said to be like the glue sticking all the pieces of information together.

The working memory differs from long term memory; long term memory is a separate part of the memory system with ...

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