What does the Episodic Buffer do in relation to Working Memory and episodic memory?

• A. It replaces the Central Executive.
• B. The Episodic Buffer stores integrated episodes to link WM with episodic memory.
• C. The Episodic Buffer stores only phonological data.
• D. It stores only long-term semantic knowledge.

Answer: (B)

The Episodic Buffer acts as a temporary, multimodal workspace that binds together information from the other working memory systems (like the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad) with content from long-term memory to form coherent episodes. It creates a single, time-stamped memory trace that can be consciously recalled as an event, effectively linking what we’re holding in working memory with episodic memory. This bridging function is why the statement about storing integrated episodes to connect working memory with episodic memory is the best fit. It doesn’t replace the Central Executive, it doesn’t store only phonological data, and it doesn’t store long-term semantic knowledge.