Which component of the Working Memory Model is primarily responsible for attention control and coordinating information between subsystems?

• A. Phonological loop
• B. Visuo-spatial sketchpad
• C. Central executive
• D. Episodic buffer

Answer: (C)

Attention control and coordination across the working memory subsystems are handled by the central executive. It acts as the flexible attentional controller, allocating cognitive resources, switching focus between tasks, and deciding what information to attend to or retrieve. It directs processing between the phonological loop (the verbal store and rehearsal), the visuo-spatial sketchpad (visual and spatial data), and the episodic buffer (which integrates information from subsystems and long-term memory). The phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad store and manipulate their respective types of information, while the episodic buffer serves as a temporary integrated store. Thus, the central executive is the part that governs attention and coordinates how the different parts work together.