Multi Store Model

Question 1

What is the multi store model

Answer 1

Information processing model, information flows through a series of storage systems; sensory register, stm and LTM each stage differs in terms of encoding, capacity and duration

Question 2

Coding, capacity, duration of Sensory Register

Answer 2

Coding- modality specific, sight, sound, touch, taste, smell
Capacity- it is difficult to measure. Could be very large as it takes on all senses at the point of encoding
Duration- a fraction of a second

Question 3

Coding, capacity and duration of stm

Answer 3

Coding- largely acoustic
Capacity- 7+2( digit span test) chunking can help increase storage
Duration- 18-30 second

Question 4

Coding, capacity and duration of LTM

Answer 4

Coding- semantic
Capacity- potentially unlimited
Duration- unlimited

Question 5

Evidence for MSM

Answer 5

Baddeley who found that LTM encodes semantically and that stm encodes acoustically
Both long term and short term memory have different encoding methods
Problems with lab experiments because it may not be ecologically valid. Therefore, the theory may rest on weak research which would impact the credibility of the theory
Further supported by case study evidence such as CW
Viral infection have damaged to his hippocampus. No issue with stm but no longer form new memories.
That said research on case studies…

Question 6

Strengths and shortcomings MSM

Answer 6

Reductionist because it implies that short term memory and long term memory are singular stores
Theory rests on scientific evidence which improves the credibility of the theory
Difficult to measure elements of the model e.g the capacity of the sensory model. Which may reduce the credibility of the theory
The theory does not take individual differences into account because some people are able to remember things better and for longer than others and the MSM suggests that it’s mechanical and set

Question 7

Working memory model

Answer 7

The central executive is responsible for giving attention to information from the other two stores and making decisions about which information is the most important, rehearsal occurs between the central executive and the other stores
The phonological loop is separated into the phonological store and the articulatory control system; it has a limited capacity
The Visio- spatial scratchpad is known as the inner eye and is specialised for spatial and visual coding
The episodic buffer was added in 2000 as a 3rd slave system to explain how it is possible to temporarily store information