Big picture
Working memory is a limited-capacity system that temporarily holds and manipulates information needed for reasoning, comprehension, and learning.
Baddeley and Hitch model
- Central executive: directs attention and coordinates the other systems.
- Phonological loop: briefly maintains verbal and auditory information.
- Visuospatial sketchpad: maintains visual and spatial information.
- Episodic buffer: integrates information across working memory and long-term memory.
Evidence to remember
Dual-task studies show that two tasks interfere more when they rely on the same subsystem. The word-length effect and articulatory suppression provide evidence for the phonological loop.
Learning applications
Reduce unnecessary cognitive load, group information into meaningful chunks, and combine concise verbal explanations with relevant visuals.
Knowledge check
- Which component allocates attention?
- Why does repeating an irrelevant sound disrupt verbal rehearsal?
- Give one study strategy that protects working-memory capacity.