Multi store model eval

Question 1

Supporting research evidence

Answer 1

STM and LTM are different. For example Baddeley found that we tend to mix up words that sound similar when we are using STM. But we mix up words that have similar meanings when we use LTM. This a strength because it shows that Coding in STM is acoustic and LTM is semantic. Therefore it supports the MSM view that STM and LTM are 2 different and independent stores.

Question 2

More than one type of STM

Answer 2

MSM states that STM is unitary. Research done into amnesia show that this is not true. Shallice and Warrington studied KF and found that KF’s STM for digits was poor when they read out loud to him but his recall was better when he read the digits himself. This shows that there could be a other store responsible for sound. This is a limitation because this goes to show that STM is not unitary so MSM model is limited and WMM is more appropriate to use as it explains that there are more STM stores.

Question 3

Neuroimaging evidence

Answer 3

There have been many controlled lab studies which have used brain scans to show that the STM and LTM are different stores. For example Beardsley found that prefrontal cortex is active during STM but not LTM task. Squire et al used brain scans and found that hippocampus is active during LTM tasks.

Question 4

Case study of HM

Answer 4

Scoville and Milner studied HM whose hippocampus was removed during operation to reduce his epilepsy. HM’s personality and intellect remained intact but he could not form new LTMs, although he could remember things before the surgery. Supports the MSM as HM was unable to transfer info from STM o LTM but he was able to retrieve info from before his surgery. Shows that STM and LTM are two different stores.

Question 5

There is more than one type of rehearsal

Answer 5

MSM model says that the more you rehearse info, the more likely you are to transfer it to LTM and remember it for longer. But Craik and Watson found that it is the type of rehearsal that matters. Maintenance rehearsal does not transfer info into LTM but just maintains it in STM. Elaborative rehearsal is needed for LTM and occurs when you link the info to existing knowledge. Limitation as MSM sates that maintenance rehearsal is required to transfer info to LTM but this is wrong so MSM model is limited