Working memory

Working memory is under the functional approach, a part of the human memory. It is responsible for temporary storage and changes and is required, for example, to understand a set of content ( so you can still remember the beginning of the sentence, when one has arrived at the end). It has a limited capacity (see Miller number). Also in connection with the solution of complex tasks, the working memory is necessary. Working memory is used to understand the current environment surrounding us and make of it a mental representation. It has a supportive problem solving and the acquisition of new knowledge. It helps in the formulation and assessment of current goals.

Differentiation from short-term memory

The term short-term memory refers to the elderly and other theories that have assumed a uniform system for short-term storage of information. This view has been further developed by the Erlanger School of Information Psychology with its concept of short memory. In contrast, we assume here below from a multi-store model in which various subsystems are responsible for different types of information.

Baddeleys multi-component model

→ Main article Baddeley model of working memory

Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch proposed their model of working memory before 1974, with whom she wanted to describe the short-term memory more precisely. The model is based on four (previously three) separate functional components that are mutually connected. A distinction is made between the central executive, which serves as a control and organizational element, and three passive subsystems ( so-called "slave systems " ) that are controlled and monitored by the central executive. The subsystems are the phonological loop ( mainly processes verbal information ), the spatial visual notepad ( processes visual information ) and the episodic buffer.

Process-oriented theories

Baddeleys module oriented theory, which is still the separation of long-and short-term memory based on face newer, more process-oriented theories. In these it is assumed that the distribution of resources, and attention to the associated activation of distributed neural networks.

The Embedded Processing Model of Working Memory by Nelson Cowan describes working memory as those components of long-term memory that are temporarily in an activated state. Memory contents are excited by cues; is now facing them attention, they can be processed consciously.

The working memory model by Randall W. Engle explains the causes of individual differences in working memory capacity and its relation to intelligence.