Human Memory and the New Science of Learning - New Science of Learning - page 83

not aware of the contents of either sensory memory or long-term memory until they
are pulled into working memory for processing.

A Model of Working Memory

Figure 5.1 represents working memory as a single unit, and this is how it was ini-
tially described by researchers (Atkinson & Shiffri n, 1968). However, current views
of working memory suggest that it is composed of three components that work
together to process information (Baddeley, 1986, 2001) . This model is outlined in
Fig . 5.2.

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
Controls flow of information
Selects strategies to process
information

Transfers information to

long-term memory

PHONOLOGICAL LOOP
Short-term storage for
words and sounds
Retains information
through maintenance
rehearsal

VISUAL -SPACIAL
SKETCHPAD
Short-term storage
of visual and spacial
information

Fig. 5.2 A model of working memory

To illustrate these components find the area of the figure you see here.

6 units

5 units

Fig. 5.3 Irregular pentagon