Model of Memory

Question 1

Define the multistore memory model

[Draw it]

Answer 1

It was suggested that memory is stored in 3 locations

1) Environmental input from our 5 sense organs (visual, taste, touch, sound, scent)
2) Registered in sensory memory which has a huge capacity. Very short duration of 0.25-0.5 seconds. Stored briefly in the form in which it is received.
3) Whichever sense you pay attention to goes to STM. STM has a limited capacity and duration of 18-30 seconds or 7+-2 items. If that information is rehearsed, it moves along to the LTM. If not rehearsed, the information in the store may be displaced and lost. When we recall something, it is retrieved from LTM and enters our STM so that decision can be made and problems can be solved.
4) LTM has unlimited capacity and duration and it encodes information semantically

Question 2

Milner to MSM

Answer 2

It proves that our STM and LTM are separate stores, just like in the multistore model.

Question 3

Aim of Milner (1996)

Answer 3

To investigate the effects of HM having his hippocampus removed, to treat his epilepsy, on his memory.

Question 4

Method of Milner

Answer 4

• HM completed a number of different tasks

e. g.
- drawing a line between two outlines of a star whilst watching his hand in the mirror.
- completed IQ tests
- tests on perception and abstract thinking
- memory assessments.

Question 5

Findings of Milner

Answer 5

• After the surgery, he had anterograde amnesia - unable to make new memories.
• He could not acquire new episodic knowledge (memory for events) or new semantic knowledge (general knowledge).
• He did have a capacity for working memory (STM) as he could carry on a normal conversation. He could maintain information in his STM via rehearsal.
• His IQ was unaffected.

Question 6

Conclusion of Milner

Answer 6

It was concluded that the STM and LTM are two separate stores. As HM had a functioning STM, but as he could not transfer these memories to LTM it suggests that there are two separate memory stores. For HM it appears that the ability to transfer the memories to LTM was damaged. The MSM suggest memories traveling in the near fashion from STM to LTM. In HM’s case he was unable to transfer the STM to LTM.