Memory - The Multi-Store Memory model (MSM) Flashcards
Draw the multi-store memory model
What are sensory registers?
Refers to the memory stores for each of our five senses , the 2 main ones are iconic (vision) & echoic (Hearing)
What is the duration & capacity of the sensory registers?
The capacity is huge as millions of receptors but the duration is less than half a second
How is information passed from the STM to LTM and its definition?
Through prolonged rehearsal which is when we repeat material over & over to ourselves
How is information transferred from LTM back to STM
Retrieval
What is STM? refer to its capacity, duration and how it’s coded
STM is the limited capacity store. It has a capacity of 5-9 items, a duration of 18-30sec & it is coded acoustically
What is LTM? refer to its capacity, duration and how it’s coded
LTM is the permanent memory store. It has unlimited capacity , lifelong duration and it is coded semantically
How does memory pass from the sensory register to STM?
Through attention, information passes from the sensory register to short-term memory
Weakness 1 : Oversimplification of the MSM
P: One major criticism of the Multi-Store Model (MSM) is its oversimplification of memory storage.
E: The MSM posits that short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) are distinct and singular storage systems. However, evidence from alternative models, such as the Working Memory Model (WMM), suggests that these systems are more complex than the MSM proposes. For instance, Baddeley and Hitch (1974) introduced components like the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad, indicating that STM is not a single, unified store but comprises multiple subsystems handling different types of information.
E: This complexity highlighted by the WMM challenges the MSM’s simplistic view. The WMM’s delineation of multiple components within STM suggests that memory storage involves more nuanced processes than the MSM accounts for, demonstrating that the MSM’s portrayal is reductive.
L: Therefore, while the MSM provides a foundational understanding of memory storage, it fails to encompass the detailed and differentiated nature of memory systems, as evidenced by more comprehensive models like the WMM. This highlights the MSM’s limitation in accurately depicting the intricacies of memory functions.
Weakness 2 : Narrow explanation of how information transfers from the STM to LTM
P: Another significant weakness of the MSM is its narrow explanation of how information transfers from short-term memory (STM) to long-term memory (LTM).
E: The MSM emphasizes rehearsal as the primary mechanism for this transfer. While rehearsal undoubtedly plays a role, other factors such as motivation and strategic learning significantly influence this process. For instance, Craik and Lockhart’s (1972) Levels of Processing theory suggests that the depth of information processing, rather than mere repetition, determines how well information is encoded into LTM.
E: Motivational states and the use of learning strategies can enhance encoding, indicating that rehearsal is not the sole pathway for transferring information from STM to LTM. Research has shown that meaningful processing leads to better retention than rote rehearsal, underscoring the importance of factors beyond simple repetition.
L: Consequently, the MSM’s focus on rehearsal overlooks these critical factors, making its explanation of memory transfer incomplete. This limitation suggests that while rehearsal is important, a comprehensive model of memory must also consider additional influences such as motivation and strategic learning to accurately depict the processes involved in memory encoding.
Strength 1 : Value as a starting point
P: Despite its limitations, the Multi-Store Model (MSM) provided a good starting point for explaining the structure and process of the memory system.
E: The MSM was one of the first models to clearly differentiate between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM), offering a structured framework for understanding how information is processed and stored.
E: This clear distinction helped lay the groundwork for future research, enabling psychologists to build upon a basic conceptualization of memory systems. The MSM’s identification of separate stages in memory processing, such as encoding, storage, and retrieval, was instrumental in advancing the study of cognitive processes.
L: Therefore, while the MSM may be oversimplified, it played a crucial role in establishing foundational concepts in memory research, paving the way for more sophisticated models and deeper exploration into the complexities of memory systems.
