Working Memory

Working memory is a dynamic process of interpreting, integrating and manipulating information for use in problem-solving and planning future actions (Matlin, 2005). The phrase “working memory” has replaced the older terminology of short-term memory in part because it is now believed to be such a complex interactive process, while short-term memory was viewed as a more rigid set of facts. Working memory is the active process of interpreting a whole sentence or phrase and beginning to relate new information to prior knowledge. Alan Baddeley is considered the leading theorist of working memory. His model was developed in 1974 and recently revised (Baddeley, 2002). “The multicomponent approach to working memory aims to understand the way in which information is temporarily stored and maintained in the performance of complex cognitive processing.” (p.94). The theory, named the multicomponent working memory model, is composed of four parts: central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer. The central executive integrates information from all three areas. It is thought to regulate and control actions, plan strategies, and coordinate behavior. The phonological loop concerns short-term verbal memory. It has two components - a phonological store for a limited number of sounds for short time periods, and an articulatory rehearsal system. The visuo-spatial sketchpad is the store house for visual information. It combines visual information with similar information from motor and tactile sources. The episodic buffer is a “go-between” storage system that holds scenes and interacts with the above systems using a multimodal code. Retrieval from the buffer happens during conscious awareness, which provides multiple informational sources to be manipulated simultaneously. The episodic buffer also helps to solve problems and plan future behavior. Working memory is much more than just short-term. Further information on this subject can be found by accessing the following links:

SparkNotes: Memory: Short-Term Memory

Thinker: Memory: Working Memory

References

Baddeley, A.D. (2002). Is working memory still working?. European Psychologist, 7 No.2, Retrieved February 11, 2007, from http://psych.colorado.edu/~tcurran/psyc5665/papers/Baddeley_2002.pdf.

Matlin, Margaret W. (2005). Cognition Sixth Edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons,Inc..