Lesson 3 - The Multi Store Model Flashcards
Atkinson and Shriffin - MSM
The multi store model describes how info flows through the memory system. Model suggests that memory is made up of three stores linked by processing
Describe the sensory register (MSM 1st store)
-stimulus from environment passes into sensory register e.g sound of someone’s name
Two main stores:
Iconic memory - visual info
Echoic memory - sound info
Duration - less than half a second
Capacity - very large
Coding - all 5 senses
-info passed on through attention
What is the short term memory (MSM 2nd store)
Info moved from sensory register if given attention
Capacity - limited (7 +/- 2)
Duration - very limited (18 sec)
Coding - acoustic
-can keep info as long as rehearsed but if not it is forgotten
-info moves on through prolonged rehearsal to LTM
What is the long term memory (MSM 3rd store)
Info received through prolonged rehearsal in STM
Capacity - believed lifelong infinite
Duration - life long
Coding - semantically
Info can be retrieved to STM through recall
Strength 1 of MSM - HM case study support
Point - the case of HM provides support for the MSM
Example - HMs hippocampus was removed from his brain to reduce severe epilepsy. He was unable to encode new long term memories although his STM seemed unaffected
Explanation - this supports the MSM as it suggests that there are separate memory stored for STM and LTM
Strength 2 of MSM - case study of Clive wearing support
Point - the case of Clive wearing also provides support for the MSM
Example - he suffered brain damage as a result of a virus and thus unable to lay down new long term memories but could hold a conversation and has a working STM
Explanation - this supports the idea that STM and LTM have separate stored because of his reaction to new stimuli
Strength 3 of MSM - supported by studies proving STM and LTM are separate
Point - the MSM is supported by research that shows LTM and STM are separate stores
Example - Baddeley found that we mix up words that sound similar in STM but mix up words with similar meanings in LTM. Could also use capacity and duration studies
Explanation - this shows that coding is different for STM and LTM which supports the view that the two memory stores are separate and independent
Weakness 1 of MSM - too simple and evidence of STM not being single store
Point - the MSM is too simple as there is evidence to suggest that STM is not a single store
Example - shallice and warrrington (1970) studied KF a patient with amnesia. His STM for digits was poor when read out loud to him but his recall was much better when he read them himself
Explanation - this shows that there must be one STM store to process visual info and another to process auditory
Weakness 2 of MSM - LTM involves more than prolonged rehearsal
Point - long term memory involves more than prolonged rehearsal
Example - Craik and Watkins (1973) found that elaborative rehearsal is also needed which is where you link the info to your existing knowledge or think about what it means
Explanation - this suggests that the MSM does not fully explain how long term storage is achieved
