Alan Baddeley Is Working Memory Still Working

In Alan Baddeley’s article, “Is Working Memory Still Working?” he broke down the components of working memory in an attempt to discover if it still works efficiently. After analyzing multiple studies, the conclusion that working memory has always worked, and still works, was developed. While Baddeley gave a systematic and detailed analysis of applicable research, there are several issues with this article. Throughout the article his tone lacked confidence, tenses switched frequently, figures were not provided correctly, colloquialisms were used, the grammar was inconsistent and contained errors, and data was not provided, despite numerous references. Again, the multitude of errors immensely depletes the validity of this article.
Summary
Baddeley gave a thorough description of the working memory system. Within that description he highlighted the central executive, phonological loop, and the visuo-spatial scratch pad. Baddeley concluded the major issue with the working memory system is the lack inability to integrate information from subsidaiary systems and long term memory in a way that allows for active …show more content…
He stated, “the term working memory appears to have been first proposed by Miller” (Baddeley, 2001). Later in the paper he states, “the process of sub vocal articulation also seems to plan an important role” (Baddeley, 2001). The use of “appears” and “seems” are two examples where the authors’ tone created uncertainty, which reduces confidence in the validity of the article. Another inconsistency dealt with abbreviations throughout the article. For example, without referring to it once, Baddeley uses “STM” and “SR”. Authors should write the complete term the first time they refer to it, place the abbreviation in parentheses, and then refer to the abbreviation throughout the remainder of the article. Baddeley followed the rules on several occasions, but not consistently throughout the