Final answer:
The visuospatial sketchpad is more challenging to study than the phonological loop due to its lack of distinct articulatory processes, rendering standard verbal study methods ineffective.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason the visuospatial sketchpad is more challenging to study than the phonological loop is because it lacks distinct articulatory processes. Unlike the phonological loop, the visuospatial sketchpad does not rely on auditory encoding but on visual and spatial information, making it difficult to use verbal methods to study it. The visuospatial sketchpad is involved in managing visual and spatial tasks, whereas the phonological loop deals with auditory information and has repetitive processes that make it easier to study.
Furthermore, research by psychologists Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving indicates that semantic encoding, which involves a deeper level of processing, leads to better memory retention for verbal information compared to visual or acoustic encoding. This is supported by the self-reference effect, showcasing that personal relevance enhances memory. Baddeley and Hitch's model of working memory includes the visuospatial sketchpad as one of the key components alongside the phonological loop and the episodic buffer, overseen by a central executive for managing short-term memory functions.