Final answer:
The 'phonological loop', 'visuospatial sketchpad', and 'central executive' are key components of working memory according to Baddeley and Hitch's model, which allow for the temporary storage and manipulation of information, supporting cognitive tasks. Option 1 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 'phonological loop', 'visuospatial sketchpad', and 'central executive' are components of working memory, which is a system for processing and managing information in one's mind over short periods. The phonological loop deals with verbal and auditory information; the visuospatial sketchpad handles visual and spatial data; and the central executive directs attention and coordinates these subsystems, playing a key role in decision making and problem-solving.
Their purposes are to maintain information temporarily and manipulate it, which is critical for tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension.
According to Baddeley and Hitch's working memory model, these components function together like opening different files on a computer to add and manage information, allowing us to perform cognitive tasks efficiently. The central executive also facilitates the transfer of information to long-term memory for permanent storage. The efficiency and capacity of the working memory system can significantly influence cognitive functions.
In terms of brain structure, while the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive are functional entities related to memory, the actual physical substrate of memory involves different parts of the brain such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum that work in coordination for memory encoding, storage, and retrieval.