multi store memory

Question 1

what is the MSM?

Answer 1

it is an explanation of memory which assumes there are three unitary - separate - memory stores, and that information is passed between these stores in a linear sequence

Question 2

what are the three main stores of the MSM?

Answer 2

the sensory register/memory, the short term memory and the long term memory

Question 3

sensory register

Answer 3

• encoding: modality specific, meaning there is a different register for each sense
• duration: less than half a second (very limited)
• capacity: very large, e.g. there are over 100 million cells in each eye that store information
• storage: information is stored the same way its received

Question 4

short term memory

Answer 4

• encoding: acoustic (not in 1968 model if a date is mentioned)
• duration: 18-30 seconds
• capacity: milligrams magic number, 7 +/- 2, is the number of pieces of information that can be held. can be increased by chunking
• storage: not necessarily stored the same way it’s encoded

Question 5

long term memory

Answer 5

• duration: potentially unlimited
• capacity: unlimited
• retrieval: information has to go back to STM first in order to be retrieved

Question 6

describe the MSM (4)

Answer 6

information is taken from environmental stimuli with one of our five senses. this information enters the sensory register, which is modality specific. for information to be passed to the STM you need to pay attention as failing to do so will lead to decay. in order for information to then go to the LTM you have to rehearse it otherwise it will decay.if capacity of 7+/- 2 for the STM is exceeded then displacement occurs, this is when either your oldest or newest memories get ‘lost.’ some information in the LTM may be lost overtime.

Question 7

strengths

Answer 7

• Peterson and Peterson support this theory. ppts in the study forgot more from the STM as the delay increased without recall. after a few seconds it was okay, but after 25 seconds it was impossible. therefore, this supports the MSM as it says that the STM has a limited amount of time to store information as it will decay if not recalled.
• Shallice and Warrington support. they did a case study on KF, who was brain damaged as a result of a motorcycle accident. his STM was severely impaired, however his LTM remained intact. therefore, this supports the MSM theory as it says that the STM and LTM are unitary stores. (in addition evaluation for case studies can be added)

Question 8

weaknesses

Answer 8

• De Groot study opposes the MSM. he found that professional chess players had a good STM for chess positions, however this was only if they fit the known ruled. if they didn’t fit in with the rules, recall wasn’t as strong. therefore, this opposes the MSM as it suggests that the STM and LTM must work together and not be completely separate stores.
• theory is reductionist. it ignored factors such as motivation and strategy, e.g. mnemonics, which underpin learning. therefore, it could be argued that the MSM is to simplistic for explaining the concept of rehearsal.