What is the term for the part of working memory that processes verbal and auditory information?

• A. Visiospatial sketchpad
• B. Phonological loop
• C. Episodic memory
• D. Semantic memory

Answer: (B)

The term for the part of working memory that processes verbal and auditory information is the phonological loop. This component of working memory is responsible for maintaining and manipulating speech-based information. It allows individuals to store and rehearse auditory information, which is crucial for tasks such as understanding spoken language and remembering a sequence of words.

In contrast to this, the visiospatial sketchpad deals with visual and spatial information, like pictures or spatial layouts, rather than verbal data. Episodic memory refers to the ability to recall specific events in one’s life, while semantic memory involves the storage and retrieval of factual knowledge. Neither episodic nor semantic memory specifically processes auditory or verbal information in the same way that the phonological loop does. This distinction highlights the specialized functions within the broader framework of memory systems.