Baddeley Memory Model Jun 2026

| Strengths | Limitations | | :--- | :--- | | Unlike earlier models that viewed STM as passive storage, this model views working memory as an active workspace for complex cognition. | The Central Executive is Vague: Critics argue the Central Executive is too broad and unexplained. It is often accused of being a "homunculus" (a little man in the head doing the work) without explaining how the decisions are made. | | Dual-Task Evidence: It is strongly supported by dual-task interference experiments. | Sensory Overlap: Some research suggests the distinction between the visual and auditory stores is not as clear-cut as the model suggests. | | Clinical Application: It helps psychologists understand and treat specific memory deficits following brain injuries. | Individual Differences: The model doesn't fully account for why working memory capacity varies significantly between individuals. |

Often called the "inner ear," it handles auditory and verbal information. It consists of a phonological store (holds sound for a few seconds) and an articulatory process (your "inner voice" that repeats information to keep it fresh). baddeley memory model

People recall more short words than long words. According to the model, this is because the Articulatory Control Process has a time limit. You can rehearse "cat, dog, hat" faster than "hippopotamus, aluminum, university" before the memory trace fades. | Strengths | Limitations | | :--- |