Memory Studies- Atkinson and Shiffrin's theory Flashcards
What is Atkinson and Shiffrin’s theory?
Atkinson and Shiffrin developed the Multi-store model of memory by drawing conclusions from memory experiments conducted by other researchers.. They proposed that memory stores differ from eachother in the way information is encoded, their capacity, duration and how information is retrieved.
What are the different memory stores?
The sensory register (or sensory memory)
Short term memory
Long term memory
The sensory register and the role of attention
The sensory register is the store that receives all of the sensory information around us and holds it very briefly.If we pay attention to some of this sensory information, it is transferred into our short term memory where we can process it further. If we do not pay attention to the information, it quickly decays. It is believed that we have a separate sensory registers for each of our principle senses.Iconic memory is for visual information and Echoic memory is for auditory (sound) information.
Short term memory capacity and duration
If we pay attention to sensory information, it can be transferred into the short term memory, where it can be stored for 15-30 seconds. If we rehearse the information, we are able to maintain it in the short term memory for much longer. Short term memory is modality free which means its not linked to a specific type of sensory information. The average short term memory can hold 7+-2 bits of memory.
The role of rehearsal
The multi store model of memory suggest that repeating the information over and over (rehearsal) helps hold it in short term memory for longer, If the information is rehearsed for long enough, it gets transferred to the long term memory store.
Long term memory capacity and duration
Long term memory can hold information indefinitely and has potentially limitless capacity. Long term memories are thought to be mainly organised semantically, which is according to their meaning.
Strength of the theory
One strength is that there is alot of evidence to support the theory making the theory reliable
Weakness of the theory
One weakness is that it has been criticised for overstating the role of rehearsal. Some things are remembered because they are more important rather than them being rehearsed. (Reductionist)
