Substantial evidence exists to support a general dependency of reasoning upon short term memory capacity. The longer information is stored in short term memory the easier it is to manipulate information needed in the execution of complex cognitive tasks (e.g. short term memory has been shown to be correlated with problem solving, learning, reasoning, and reading comprehension). One of the models that attempts to explain how working memory functions is the multi component model of working memory. The articulator loop and the visuo-spatial sketch pad are responsible for short term maintenance of information and the central executive is responsible for coordinating these two systems.
Describe and evaluate the Working Memory Model of Memory (12 marks) The working memory model by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974 is an alternative to the multi- store model, which was limited in its description of the STM. It consists of three main components, the first one being the central executive, which has overall control. The central executive is directs attention to two slave systems, the phonological loop and the visual-spatial sketchpad. The central executive has limited capacity but is able to process information from all the sensory systems, e.g. vision, hearing, etc.
Memory is to do with how we encode, store and retrieve information. The multi-store model of memory was suggested by Atkinson and Shiffrin who said that we have 3 different memory stores: sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory and formed a linear model to demonstrate the process. A key aspect of the model is that the memory stores have different characteristics which include capacity, duration and encoding. Capacity refers to how much information that can be stored, duration is how long the memory lasts and encoding is how the memory is taken in and stored to be recalled later. We have sensory memory stores where information from the outside world is taken in unconsciously so if it is not looked at consciously it can be lost via decay as the duration is very short (possibly up to 2 seconds).
The multistore model consists of three memory stores: sensory memory (SM), short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM) that is used for different tasks. SM is a storage system that holds information in a relatively unprocessed form for fractions of a second after the physical stimulus is no longer available – stores sensory characteristics of a stimulus and plays a vital role in filtering out useless information, enabling us to focus our attention on important details. STM is a limited capacity memory system for storing information for brief periods of time. Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) see STM as a temporary storage depot for incoming information after it recieves and encodes information from the sensory memory. LTM holds a vast quantity of information, which can be stored
[these require focused attention?] This led to the development of two-process theories; which suggest that automatic and controlled processes operate simultaneously, so that tasks are “automatically” carried [could be considered more of a continuum?] Kahneman (1973, as cited in Edgar, 2007) suggested that there is a central processor within the brain which is of limited capacity and that some information cannot be processed. [there is too much input from our senses to be able to cope with] Kahneman explained how the brain acts as a physical filter and defined attention as mental effort; limited resources being allocated
Outline the multi-store model and working memory model The multi-store model of memory is when information appears in Sensory Memory if attention is given to this it transfers to Short Term Memory, if the information is then rehearsed; it appears in the Long Term Memory. If at any time attention or rehearsal is not given to the information the trace decays and so because of this, we forget, however this need for rehearsal for transference into the Long Term Memory has been criticised as some information can be retained without any form of rehearsal. Within the multi-store model of memory, both Long Term Memory and Short Term Memory differ from each other in various ways; the duration of short term memory is 18 seconds, where as the duration of long term memory is a lifetime. The capacity of short term memory is found to be 7 + OR – 2, compared to long term memory’s unlimited capacity. As far as coding is concerned, there are also differences between short term and long term memory; short term is acoustic and long term is semantic.
Auditory-verbal short-term memory (AVSTM) is the temporary storage of verbal information in the absence of stimuli that were auditory perceived. Auditory-verbal short-term memory is an important component of everyday verbal communication. Speech perception, as well as retention of verbal information, which are both necessary for speech comprehension and production, has their roots in AVSTM. Short-term memory impairment is one of the first symptoms in many neural degenerative diseases besides physiological processes. EEG as a noninvasive technique used for studying brain electrical activity is widely used to measure different types of cognitive activities, workloads and physiological states of the brain (Gevins, Smith, McEvoy, & Yu, 1997).
These can be put into three main categories; Gestalt principles, depth principles and visual consistencies. All three of these principles are seen as rules that the brain follows in order to distinguish the sensory information it is given. The first principle used to organise our visual sensation into perception are the Gestalt principles. Gestalt principles can be simply as principles that involve the brain perceiving an object as a whole, rather than the parts it is made up of. These principles are often explained with the phrase “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”.
2) BRAIN DAMAGED STUDIES tells us that certain areas of the brain are used when components of working model are getting used so this tells us that tasks need different parts of the brain so they are really separate systems at work this can be seen by MRI scans. 3) Baddley and hitch: as the working model tells us that if were trying to do two tasks at once they need the same system to do it in the working model then our performance will suffer but if using different parts of the working model then it may work. The weaknesses of the working model 1) Central executive has little support. Most of the
Short-term memory refers to information-storage without manipulation and is therefore a component of working memory. Working memory differs from long-term memory, a separate part of the memory system with a vast storage capacity that holds information in a relatively more stable form. According to the multi-component model, working memory includes an executive controller that interacts with separate short-term stores for auditory-verbal and visuo-spatial information. The concept of working memory has proved useful in many areas of application including individual differences in cognition, neuropsychology, normal and abnormal child development and neuroimaging. The term working memory is used most frequently to refer to a limited capacity system that is capable of briefly storing and manipulating information involved in the performance