Planning an essay This powerpoint is now on the website under WMM in Paper 1

The working memory model This session has a number of targets for you to achieve 1)Consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the working memory model 2)Understand how to evaluate when writing a 16 mark essay 3)Learn how to plan an essay in order to get all the available marks

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) What does outline mean? The command word outline requires candidates to describe whatever material is being asked about 1)Outline a model: draw the model then write about its parts (what it is) and its functions (what it does) 2)Outline a theory/explanation: describe the main assumptions of the theory/explanation 3)Outline a research study: This allows you to give details of the aims, procedures, results and conclusions of a research study 4)Outline the findings of….: This means you only write the findings of a study, and try to be as accurate and detailed as possible

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) For the full 6 marks for the outline section, you should: Draw the model, highlighting each component Describe each component in detail, highlighting important functions State there is a limited capacity in each slave system Then state the relationship between the subsystems – for example, that they are separate systems, with the CE in control and delegating tasks, the relationship between the episodic buffer and LTM. But becareful not to repeat yourself here.

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Evaluation: worth 10 of the 16 marks You have to write a number of paragraphs which indicate to the marker that you understand how valuable this model/theory/explanation/study is to our understanding of human behaviour. Too many flaws, and it becomes weak, maybe even obsolete. However, many positives and few challenges, then it is a very useful tool to understanding ourselves.

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Supporting evidence: Because we are looking at a model to explain behaviour in this essay, we need to know if the model is a valid explanation. To do this, we can analise the findings of psychological research studies to see if the data supports the assumptions in the model.

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Supporting evidence: Warning! Plenty of traps here 1)When evaluating a model/theory/explanation, do not put details about the procedures, you get little credit for it. 2)Do not evaluate the studies unless it has a real impact on the strength of the theory. For example, if the only available evidence is very weak and/or methodologically flawed, then we cannot say with any certainty that the theory is correct (this is the case when evaluating Freud’s psychodynamic approach, for example) 3)Do not put too many studies in. Many models or theories have 10s if not 100s of supporting studies. But you only have 20 minutes or so to write this essay, so a rule of thumb is that two supporting studies will suffice, then a hint that many other studies replicate the findings so we have reliability

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) On your plan: Chose the findings of two research studies that give support for the WMM. Make sure you state how these findings support the existence of WMM (grounding) Look at this example on the next slide, but you have to use two others…

Example of supporting evidence and grounding Gathercole and Baddeley (1993) found that participants found it very difficult to track a moving point of light on a screen, whilst simultaneously describing the angles of a hollow letter F. This was because both tasks require the visuo-spatial sketchpad, which has a limited capacity meaning it cannot deal with these two tasks. Other participants had very little difficulty tracking the light if they were simultaneously completing a verbal task. This is evidence of the two subsystems in working memory, as the ease of completion of the verbal and visual tasks must indicate two separate systems. It also supports the view that the slave systems have a limited capacity, as two similar tasks cannot be completed easily. Both of these findings are predicted by the WMM.

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Challenging evidence: With evidence that challenges a theory, this usually leads to further research to see if the challenging findings were just a one off, or specific to the conditions of the study. If further challenge comes through, it is likely that the theory will have to be changed, or in extreme cases, completely discarded and replaced with a more valid explanation in light of the new evidence (this is how science works – a theory stands until new evidence requires a change) See the example on the next slide then use another study (ex. Eslinger and Demasio, 1985, p10 in pack)

Example of challenging evidence and grounding Lieberman (1980) criticizes the working memory model’s concept of a single visuo-spatial sketch pad. Lieberman (1980) found that that blind people have excellent spatial awareness, although they have never had any visual information. Lieberman argues that the VSSP should be separated into two different components: one for visual information and one for spatial, which is something Baddeley and Hitch may want to consider to give a full explanation of working memory.

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Explains better: One way in which a theory is considered to have value, is if it gives a better understanding than the previous theory. For example, although Darwin’s views on evolution were pioneering and are now largely accepted among the scientific community, Darkin’s more detailed explanation about the selfish gene gives us a better understanding of the evolutionary process involved. In our example, we will state how the WMM is a better explanation that what is stated by the MSM

Explains better See page 10 in the memory pack, and read ‘explains better’ You can see that not only does this positive criticism state that the WMM is better than the MSM, it explains why it is important that we adopted the WMM over the concept of a single unitary STM Add these notes to your evaluation section on the sheet

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) Another great way to gain marks for evaluation is to offer realistic applications for the model/theory/explanation/study. For example, if a theory has been used to improve the lives of people, then not only is the of benefit to humans, but it demonstrates that the theory is valid, because when used its predictions come true

Outline and evaluate the working memory model (16 marks) See the practical applications offered at the bottom of page 10 and add notes to your plan. It might be that you could suggest some other practical applications too. For extra research, why not do an internet search on how the WMM has helped people in other areas

Finally Whether or not you offer a conclusion is up to you. As we understand it, the AQA board are not worried about introductions and conclusions to essays.