2: Multi-Store Model of Memory Flashcards
what is a model of memory
model - representation of how system works
model of memory - basic idea of how the memory system operates, the various parts that make up the memory system and how parts work together.
eg: MSM, WMM
who created the MSM?
Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)
Description of MSM:
introduction
Atkinson & Shiffrin’s (1968) MSM claimed that memory is made up of three stores linked by processing.
Description of MSM:
sensory register
the SR is where info is held at each of the senses - sights, sounds, smells and so on.
these ‘sensory registers’ are constantly receiving and coding modality specific info but most of this receives no attention.
this incoming data remains here for a very brief period as the SR has a very large capacity but very limited duration (0.5 seconds)
description of the MSM:
STM
if attention is focused on the SR the data is encoded and transferred to STM
this is mainly through acoustic coding
here info can be lost by displacement (capacity if 5-9, new info pushes out old) or decay (duration of 18-30s, without maintenance rehearsal short term memories fade)
description of the MSM: LTM
if info is rehearsed and understood (elaborative rehearsal) it is transferred into LTM
mainly through semantic coding
LTM can hold unlimited amount of info for an unlimited (up to a life time) duration
when info needs to be recalled from LTM it is retrieved from LTM into STM
Atkinson & Shiffrin proposed direct link between rehearsal in STM and strengthof the long term memory
Evaluation of MSM: strengths
P: evidence supports that memory made up of different stores
E: case studies/research show there are separate STM/LTM stores
E: KF - suffered damage to STM (verbal damaged/digit span of 2, visual mostly unaffected) but LTM in tact
L: separate STM/LTM stores otherwise his STM/LTM would be damaged equally
P: further evidence for separate STM/LTM stores from Murdock (1962)
E: primacy - recency effect
E: concluded bc beginning info was rehearsed, understood and transferred to LTM and end words displaced middle and were still in STM at recall
L: scientific evidence supports many ideas of MSM
P: support for features of sensory register from Sperling (1960)
E: letter chart 0.5s: recalled 3. when indicated top,middle or bottom recall 3 from any row
E: no problem holding memory of entire image but this faded in time to recall
L: supports large capacity, very brief duration (0.5s)
Evaluation of MSM: limitations
P: evidence suggests STM isn’t unitary
E: MSM suggests only one type of STM, research contradicts this
E: KF - brain damage to verbal STM (digit span 2) but visual mostly unaffected
L: STM isn’t unitary or damage to his STM would be equal: MSM insufficient in fully explaining STM on its own
P: evidence suggests the LTM isn’t unitary
E: MSM suggests only one type of LTM, research contradicts this
E: Clive Wearing - damage to episodic LTM (wedding) but procedural LTM in tact (play piano)
L: LTM isn’t unitary or damage to his LTM would be equal: MSM insufficient in fully explaining LTM on its own
