Outline the key features of the working memory model (6 marks)

Baddeley and Hitch (1974) developed a multi store model of short term memory (STM) called the ‘working memory model’. Their model proposed that STM, rather than being a single store, was in fact an active information processor which contained several stores. The central executive is a key component which directs attention to particular tasks, it determines how ‘resources’ are allocated to tasks. The ‘resources’ which it controls refer to the three systems that it is in charge of. The central executive has a limited capacity and the systems that it controls do too. The three systems it controls are the phonological loop, visuo- spatial sketchpad and the episodic buffer. The phonological loop holds speech based information. It is made up of a phonological store which holds the words you hear, like an inner ear. The articulatory process is used for words you hear or see, and are rehearsed silently like an inner voice.The second system is the visuo - spatial sketchpad, which deals with the temporary storage of visual and spatial information.Finally there is the episodic buffer, which was added to the model in 2000. This was added as Baddeley realised that the model needed a general store, as the other systems controlled by the central executive process specific types of information. This system briefly stores information from the other subsystems and integrates it together, along with information from long term memory, to make complete scenes of ‘episodes’.