Which component of Baddeley's model of working memory focuses on coordinating processes and attention?

The central executive is the component of Baddeley's model of working memory that is responsible for coordinating attention and managing information from other subsystems. It acts as a control system that allocates resources and dictates which information should be processed, guiding the flow of information between the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad.

This component is crucial for tasks that require cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and decision-making because it integrates and manages the information being held in working memory while also helping to focus attention on relevant stimuli. The central executive enables individuals to perform tasks that require the integration of different kinds of information, be it verbal or visual, to achieve a goal effectively.

In contrast, the phonological loop focuses specifically on verbal and auditory information, while the visuospatial sketchpad deals with visual and spatial information. Long-term memory, while essential for storing information over prolonged periods, is not part of the working memory model itself.