2.1.10

Support for the Working Memory Model

Test yourself

Shallice and Warrington (1974) - Study of KF

The working memory model is supported by evidence from brain damaged patients such as KF.

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Research aim & method

  • Aim: To investigate a patient KF who had suffered brain damage in a motorcycle accident.
  • Method: A case study using numerous psychometric tests, experiments and observations.
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Results

  • KF’s short term memory problems were much greater for auditory information than visual, suggesting his brain damage was restricted to the phonological loop.
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Conclusion

  • The case of KF supports both the MSM and the WMM as his LTM was unaffected by his injury, suggesting LTM and STM are different stores.
  • His case supports the WMM as his visuospatial sketchpad seems unaffected by his injury, suggesting that resides in a different area of the brain to the phonological loop which was damaged.
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Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • In depth and detailed.
  • Limitations
    • Cannot generalise from a case study.

Limitations of the Working Memory Model

Here are some limitations of the working memory model.

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Central executive

  • What does the central executive actually do?
  • The model suggests that it allocates attention, but it is not fully explained why it is needed.
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Lacks ecological validity

  • Dual task experiments are very artificial – lacks ecological validity.
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Lack of generalisability

  • Cannot generalise from case studies on brain damaged patients.
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Ambiguity about the LTM

  • It is only a model of working memory and leaves many unanswered questions about the structure of LTM.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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