What is the function of the visuospatial sketchpad in working memory?

• A. Handles visual and spatial information processing.
• B. Rehearses phonological information.
• C. Directs attention.
• D. Stores long-term memories.

Answer: (A)

Visual-spatial processing is about holding and working with what we see and how things are arranged in space. The visuospatial sketchpad is the part of working memory that temporarily stores visual information (what things look like) and spatial information (where things are and how they relate in space) and lets you manipulate those mental images. When you imagine rotating a shape, plan a route in your head, or judge distances between objects, you’re using this subsystem. It’s separate from the part that handles sounds and speech, and from long-term memory. Some models describe a visual cache for appearance details and an inner scribe for spatial relationships and rehearsal. So the function described—processing and holding visual and spatial information—is the best fit.