memory - multi-store model of memory

Question 1

Who came up with the multi store model of memory?

Answer 1

Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)

Question 2

Outline the multi store model of memory

Answer 2

Stimuli from the environment - sensory register - attention is paid so goes to STM - prolonged rehearsal goes to LTM - retrieval takes it from LTM to STM

Question 3

Discuss the role of the sensory register

Answer 3

All stimuli from the environment passes into the sensory register. Coding is dependent on the sense, eg, visual information is iconic memory. Duration is less than half a second. Capacity is very high.

Question 4

Discuss the role of STM

Answer 4

Maintenance rehearsal occurs when we repeat material to ourselves over and over. We keep information in our STM as long as we rehearse it. If we rehearse it long enough, it passes into LTM

Question 5

discuss the role of LTM

Answer 5

when we want to recall information from LTM, it had to be transferred back into STM by a process called retrieval

Question 6

discuss research support as a strength of the multi store model of memory

Answer 6

studies show that STM and LTM are different. For example, Baddeley(1966) found we tend to mix up words that sound similar when using STM but we mix up words with similar meanings using LTM. This study clearly shows the LTM and STM are separate independent stores

Question 7

discuss a counterpoint to research support as a strength of the multi store model of memory

Answer 7

in everyday life we form memories related to all sorts of useful things, such as names and facts, however studies that support MSM used none of these materials. Even Peterson and Peterson used consonant syllables that had no meaning. This means the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works in everyday life.

Question 8

discuss more than one STM store as a limitation of the multis store model

Answer 8

there is evidence that there is more than one STM store. This is clear as Shallice and Warrington(1970) studied a client known as KF who has amnesia. KF’s memory for digits was poor when they were read out loud but better when he read them to himself. This shows that the MSM is wrong in claiming that there is just one STM store for different types of information.

Question 9

discuss elaborative rehearsal as a limitation of the multi store model of memory

Answer 9

Prolonged rehearsal is not needed to transfer to LTM. Craik and Watkins(1973) found that the type of rehearsal is more important than the amount. This means that elaborative rehearsal is needed for long term storage. This shows that the MSM does not fully explain how long term storage is achieved