Memory (multi-store model of memory)

Question 1

How was the MSM first described?

Answer 1

First described as Richard Atkinson and Richard Shriffin in 1968, it is known as the multi-store because it consists of 3 memory stores that allows information to be transported from one store to the next.

Question 2

Sensory register

Answer 2

Where information is held at each of the senses and the corresponding areas of the brain, Capacity is very large, constantly receiving information from different senses. Remains for milliseconds.

Question 3

In which direction does information travel/ flow between different memory stores?

Answer 3

Unidirectional. (one direction)

Question 4

STM and LTM are considered what kind of memory stores?

Answer 4

Unitary stores (single stores)

Question 5

What is attention?

Answer 5

Is when info is recognised from the senses and allows information to travel to the STM from the SR, it is the first step in remembering something and is only concerned from the sensory register to STM.

Question 6

Short term memory (MSM)

Answer 6

used for immediate tasks, limited duration of 15-30, it will disappear if not rehearsed. Remembering stuff over and over again is known as maintenance rehearsal, info in the STM will also vanish if new info enters from it being limited of 7+/-2.

Question 7

Maintenance rehearsal

Answer 7

Repetition keeps info stored in the STM, but eventually such repetition will cause it to move to the LTM, the more it is rehearsed the better it is remembered.

Question 8

Long term memory plus retrieval

Answer 8

Unlimited in capacity and duration. If info is displaced then retrieval allows info to pass back through the STM and then is available for use.

Question 9

Strength - controlled lab studies using brain scanning

Answer 9

There is supporting evidence for the use of brain scanning by finding differences between the STM and LTM, Beardsley found the prefrontal cortex is active during STM and not LTM whereas Squire found the hippocampus to be active during LTM from it being engaged therefore offers to support for separate stores in terms of the memory stores.

Question 10

Limitation - it isn’t supported by all case studies

Answer 10

The MSM suggests that if people have damage to one of their memory stores for example the STM it will also cause damage to their long term memory as this does not allow them to create new existing LTM from STM as information to travel is unidirectional, however studies like KF show that when the STM is damaged it does not affect the LTM and still allows newly created memories.