Multi Store model : Atkinson and Shiffrin Flashcards
Atkinson and Shiffrin MSM describes how information flows through memory
It is a structural model stating that the sensory register, short term memory and long term memory are separate unitary stores and it flows through the system in a linear way.
Stimulus from the environment will pass into the sensory register.
The two main stores are echoic (sound/auditory info - coded acoustically) and iconic (visual info - coded visually)
Information passes from the sensory register to the STM
only if attention is paid to it. There is no attention, the information decays.
STM is a limited capacity
capacity of information is 5-9 items (Miller magic number)
Info codes acoustically and duration of info is 18-30 secs unless rehersed.
Maintenance Rehearsal
can increase the length of time the info is held in STM. Info is rehearsed enough, it will be passed to the LTM
LTM is a potentially permanent store for information if rehearsed for a prolonged time
Capacity is potentially unlimited and that info can last a lifetime in the LTM. LTM codes info semantically.
RTS multi store model comes from the case study of Clive Wearing
He suffers from amnesia which he cannot transfer info from his STM to his LTM. This is evident when his wife re enters the room after just leaving he greets her as it is the first time they met. This supports the multi store model as STM and LTM are separate stores and that info must flow through in a linear way.
The case study of Clive Wearing to support MSM is flawed as it has low population validity
Clive Wearing who has an unusual illness involving damage to the brain. Therefore, it is difficult to generalise the findings to be wider population as their memory may operate differently. limiting support of the research it provides.
MSM is too simplistic that STM and LTM are unitary stores.
Shallice and Warrington researched on a patient KF who suffered from amnesia. Found KF recall in stm for digits were poor when read out loud but was better when he can see them. There diff stores within the STM.
