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| Illustrated by Geoffrey W. Sutton with ChaptGPT 2025 |
The phonological loop is a key component of the working memory model proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974). It is responsible for the temporary storage and manipulation of verbal and auditory information. The phonological loop consists of two subcomponents: the phonological store, which holds auditory information for a short duration, and the articulatory rehearsal process, which refreshes and maintains this information through subvocal repetition (Baddeley, 2012).
Research has shown that the phonological loop plays a crucial role in language acquisition, reading comprehension, and verbal problem-solving. For example, the phonological similarity effect suggests that words or letters that sound alike are more difficult to recall than those that sound distinct, highlighting the reliance on phonological coding (Conrad & Hull, 1964). Additionally, the word length effect demonstrates that longer words take more time to rehearse and are thus more difficult to retain in the phonological loop (Baddeley et al., 1975).
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Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
References
Baddeley, A. (2012). Working memory: Theories, models, and controversies. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 1-29.
Baddeley, A., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. In G. H. Bower (Ed.), The psychology of learning and motivation(Vol. 8, pp. 47-89). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-7421(08)60452-1
Baddeley, A., Thomson, N., & Buchanan, M. (1975). Word length and the structure of short-term memory. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 14(6), 575-589. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5371(75)80007-1
Conrad, R., & Hull, A. J. (1964). Information storage in STM. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 67(3), 326-338.
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