Chapter 2.2 - The multi-store model of memory

Question 1

What is the multi-store model?

Answer 1

• A representation of how memory works in three stores called the sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory.
• Describes how information is transferred from one store to another, what makes some memories last and what makes some memories disappear

Question 2

What are sensory registers?

Answer 2

Memory stores for each of our five senses, vision(iconic) and hearing(echoic store)

Question 3

Draw out the multi-store model of memory

Answer 3

:)

Question 4

Describe what happens in the sensory register

Answer 4

• All stimuli from the environment passes into the sensory register
• Sensory stores are modality-specific, iconic is for visual information and echoic is for auditory information
• Very high capacity
• Information passes further into the memory system only if you pay attention

Question 5

Describe what happens in short term memory

Answer 5

• Information is coded mainly acoustically and stored up to 18 seconds, unless rehearsed
• Temporary store
• Limited-capacity

Question 6

What is maintenance rehearsal?

Answer 6

Verbally repeating an item to keep it in STM memory
- can pass into LTM if rehearsal is long enough

Question 7

Describe what happens in long term memory

Answer 7

• Information that has been rehearsed for a prolonged period of time enters the LTM store
• Information is coded mainly semantically
• Unlimited capacity and duration

Question 8

What is retrieval?

Answer 8

The recall of information previously stored in memory
- LTM -> STM

Question 9

What is a strength of the MSM? (research support)

Answer 9

• Support from studies showing that STM and LTM are different
• Bladdeley found that we mix up words that sound similar when using our STM but mix up words that have similar meanings when using our LTM
• Clearly shows that STM and LTM are separate and independent memory stores, as claimed by the MSM

Question 10

What is a counterpoint for the MSM? (research support)

Answer 10

• The studies that supported the MSM used digits, letters, words, and even consonant syllables which have no meaning
• MSM may not be valid as we have to remember meaningful information in our daily lives

Question 11

What is a limitation of the MSM? (more than one STM store)

Answer 11

• A client called KF had amnesia and struggled to recall digits when read to him but recalled them much better when reading them to himself
• MSM suggests that iconic and echoic sensory information falls under the same short term memory store
• Wrong in claiming that there is one STM store processing different types of information
• Further studies of KF showed that there could be another STM store for non-verbal sounds

Question 12

What is a limitation of the MSM? (elaborative rehearsal)

Answer 12

• Prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM
• 1973 study showed that the type of rehearsal is more important than the amount
• Suggests that the MSM does not fully explain how long-term storage is achieved

Question 13

What is elaborative rehearsal?

Answer 13

The creation of associations and personal connections to move information more effectively into one’s LTM

Question 14

What is another evaluation point for the MSM? (bygone model)

Answer 14

• The MSM was created based on the research evidence available at the time which showed that STM and LTM to be separate and independent memory stores
• Recent evidence that LTM and STM is not a single memory store
• More than one type of STM and more than one type of rehearsal
• MSM is an oversimplified model of memory