MEMORY - the multi store model of memory

Question 1

what did ATKINSON + SHIFFRIN say?

Answer 1

• described how info flows through the memory in a system
• there are 3 stores to memory linked by processing

Question 2

what does the sensory store consist of?

Answer 2

• stimulus from environment which will pass into the sensory store
• receives information from all our senses
• duration lasts half a second
• has high capacity
• info passes further into the system if you pay attention to it only

Question 3

what 2 memories are the sensory store split into?

Answer 3

1.iconic memory
2. echoic memory

Question 4

what is iconic memory?

Answer 4

visual memory

Question 5

what is echoic memory?

Answer 5

sound or auditory memory

Question 6

what does the STM memory consist of?

Answer 6

• limited capacity
• lasts 18s
• information is coded acoustically
• information decays unless we rehearse it enough to be transferred into LTM

Question 7

what is maintenance rehearsal?

Answer 7

when we repeat material to ourselves over and over again.

Question 8

what does the LTM consist of?

Answer 8

• permanent memory store for info that has been rehearsed for a long time
• coded semantically
• unlimited capacity
• when we want to recall info from LTMS we need to transfer back into STM through retrieval

Question 9

How does the case of HM support the multi store model?

Answer 9

The study of HM supports the model because it shows that the long term and short term memories are two distinct stores. After having his hippocampus accidentally removed due to surgery for epilepsy, his short term memory remained intact.

Question 10

give strengths of MSM?

Answer 10

+ research support
shows that STM+ LTM is different
eg Baddeley found that we mix up words that sound similar when using STM but mix up words that have similar meaning when using LTM = clearly shows LTM and STM are separate

Question 11

give limitations of MSM?

Answer 11

• many studies don’t use what we form memories of in everyday life = therefore MSM not valid model of how memory works in everyday life
• prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM
  Craik and Watkins found that type of rehearsal is more important than amount. eg Elaborative rehearsal is needed for LT storage
  = MSM does not fully explain how long term storage is achieved