Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968) Multi-Store Model of Memory

Question 1

What is the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

Answer 1

Model states that

1. Memory consists of three stores:

• a sensory register
• STM
• LTM

2. Information is passed from store to store like a computer, with input, process and output.

Question 2

Give the features of the sensory register.

Answer 2

1. Where sensory info is stored
2. Duration: approx. 2 seconds
3. Capacity: All sensory experience
4. Encoding: Via individual senses

Question 3

What are the different sensory stores?

Answer 3

1. Iconic register = visual encoding
2. Echoic register = acoustic encoding
3. Olfactory register = odour encoding
4. Gustatory register = taste encoding
5. Tactile register = touch encoding

Question 4

Give the features of the short-term memory.

Answer 4

1. Stores info from the sensory register that was paid attention to
2. Duration: Up to 30 seconds
3. Capacity: 7 + or - 2
4. Encoding: Mainly visually and acoustically

Question 5

Give the features of the long-term memory.

Answer 5

1. Stores info from the STM that has been rehearsed
2. Duration: Up to a lifetime
3. Capacity: Potentially unlimited
4. Encoding: Mainly semantically

Question 6

Give the weaknesses of this model.

Answer 6

1. Too simplistic
   - Suggests STM is a single store but other research suggests it can deal with lots of sensory info simultaneously using separate sections.
2. Evidence suggests different types of memories are stored in different parts of the brain, so the LTM cannot be a single store
3. Places too much emphasis on rehearsal.
   - Suggests info must be rehearsed to enter LTM, but not everything that we remember is rehearsed AND we don’t rehearse sensory info
4. Semantic processing may be more important than rehearsal.
   • Thinking about the meaning processes info deeply, which embeds it more deeply in the LTM.