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- Central Executive
- The Central Executive is a critical component of the Working Memory system proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) in their model known as the Working Memory Model.
- Function
- The Central Executive is responsible for coordinating and controlling information in working memory. It acts as a supervisory attentional system, organizing and manipulating information from the Phonological Loop and the Visuospatial Sketchpad and directing attention to relevant tasks.
- Capabilities
- The Central Executive has several key capabilities:
- Attentional Control: It has the ability to focus on specific stimuli and filter out irrelevant information.
- Task Switching: It enables the individual to switch between different tasks or mental activities.
- Planning and Problem Solving: It aids in developing strategies, making decisions, and solving problems by utilizing available information.
- Cognitive Flexibility: It allows for adapting to changing demands and shifting attention to different aspects of a task.
- Interactions with Other Components
- The Central Executive interacts closely with the Phonological Loop and the Visuospatial Sketchpad to facilitate working memory processes. It coordinates the flow of information between these subsystems and allocates cognitive resources effectively.
