MSM ( a and s) Flashcards
encoding
transformation of sensory input into a form which allows it to enter or register in memory
capacity
how much info can be stored
duration
how long to the info can be stored
storage
holding or retaining info in memory
retrieval
stored info is extracted from memory
Describe Atkinson and Shiffrin’s MSM
MSM is an info processing model that has 3 main components the sensory ,STM, and LTM. MSM says that sensory info needs to be paid attention in order for it to register. If i’s paid attention to it goes into the STM where info is encoded acoustically. This info in the STM needs to be rehearsed for it to be transferred to LTM. where ltm encodes semantically. It is also a linear model so information travels in one direction obly
sensory memory
encoded through 1 of 5 senses,3-4 items held, held for half a second, info decays, if we pay attention it will be transferred to STM
short term memory
encodes acoustically and auditory, 5-9 items, up to 30 seconds, retrieve in sequential search so must be rehearsed to go to LTM
info is lost from STM via displacement or decay
( stm encodes acoustically so its confused by words that sound similar- phonological similarity effect )
long term memory
encodes info semantically and temporally, stored for lifetime and limitless capacity, info can be forgotten due to interference with other info/failure when retrieving
evidence for LTM ( atkison and shiffrin MSM)
brady et al
ppts 2500 objects over 5.5 hours and asked to identify which of 2 they had seen, OG placed with similar 88% identified and from another angle 87% correctly identified
this shows 1000s images can be maintained successfully in LTM store and potential is limitless
Peterson and Peterson
used an interference task to stop people from being able to rehearse info to LTM. They had to remember a trigram and them count back in 3s and found recall after 15-18 sec
PEEC evidence for MSM
One strength of the MSM is there is overwhelming supporting evidence for it.For example, case studies like HM who was unable to transfer new memories to the LTM suggests there are two seperate stores and Glanzer and Cunitz who provided evidence that we remember things at the begining and end of the list very well due to LTM and rehearsal and the end due to STM.This again supports the idea of 2 seperate stores. However,Bekerian and Baddeley found people didn’t know BBC radio wavelengths were changing despite hearing it 1000 times. This shows the model may emphasis rehearsal and there may be other processes involved in transferring info to STM to LTM.
PEEC Methodology for MSM
One weakness is the use of the lab experiments to investigate the MSM. For example, Peterson & Peterson study of interference to prevent rehearsal used artificial tasks remembering trigrams in an artifically lab setting.This is a weakness because due to the artifical nature of the task and setting it may not reflect how memory works in everyday life. Furthermore it can also be described as reductionist as it gives a limited understanding on memory
Describe the differences between MSM and WMM
One difference is MSM describes STM as a single unitary component whereas WMM argues that STM is made up of a number of components.Another difference is the way models link to STM and LTM. For example, MSM emphasis that STM is a stopping point for info on the way to forgetting. However WMM argues LTM is important in STM processing.
Bahrick et al (1975)
completed a memory tests on the names and faces of students in their yearbook and after 15 years 90% correct and 48 years 75% correct- duration for LTM limitless
Brady et al
showed ppts 2500 objects over 6 hours and 90& of objects were correctly identified- thousands of images can be maintained in the LTM
Issue and debates: Use of psychological knowledge in society
Found rehearsal of info presented in a lecture increased recall of info one month later- help students learn more effectively using rehearsal Butler et al viewed 3 different lectures on consecutive days and recall increased final recall
Why did Baddeley feel that STM and LTM could not be investigated properly?
Because previous research used different research techniques for short term and long term memory
This makes it impossible to tell whether they were the same or different
Weakness PEEC of MSM
A weakness of the model is that research has shown that the model is not necessarily linear, as people use their prior knowledge (LTM) to help their STM.
For example, MORRIS ET AL. (1985) found that people who were interested in football made up scores more accurately than those who were not interested in football.
This suggests that those interested used their previous knowledge to impose meaning on the information to help with their recall (shows that STM uses LTM to help with tasks)
