Multi-store model of memory

Question 1

Describe the sensory register coding, capacity, duration

Answer 1

Coding - modality specific
Capacity - unlimited
Duration - limited (less than 0.5 sec)

Question 2

Describe the Short term memory coding, capacity, duration

Answer 2

Coding - acoustic (sound)
Capacity - 7+/-2 items (5-9) items
Duration - limited (18-30 seconds)

Question 3

Describe the Long term memory coding, capacity, duration

Answer 3

Coding - semantic (meaning)
Capacity - unlimited
Duration - lifetime potentially

Question 4

AO1 for MSM

Answer 4

• Atkinson and shiffrins MSM describes how information flows through memory. it is a structural model stating sensory,STM,LTM are unitary stores and info flows in a linear way.
• Environ stim -> Sensory reg : each store modality specific,
  echoic = by sound (acoustically) , iconic = visual (visually)
• Info passed from sensory reg to STM only if attention is paid to it
• STM limited capacity store (5-9 items), info coded acoustically and duration is 18-30 seconds unless rehearsed.
• maintenence rehearsal occurs we can increase length of time the info is held in the STM, if rehearsed enough passes to LTM
• LTM potentially a permanent store,
  capacity = unlimited codes = semantically

Question 4

AO3 for MSM

Answer 4

RTS clive wearing,

• suffers from amnesia cant transfer from STM to LTM,
• wife re enters room, greets as if its first time in years
• supports MSM bc shows LTM+STM separate stores, info flow linear way
• However: low pop val, one person, unusual illness, difficult to gen to wider population as their memory may operate different, thus limiting the support that the research provides for the MSM.

too simplistic in stating LTM and STM are unitary stores

• EG: shallice&warrington research on KF who suffered amnesia
• Recall poor when read loud, recall better when read himself
• suggests there are multiple stores within STM (visual,auditory)
• cast doubt on the theories assumption that STM unitary

Research supports STM and LTM are different unitary stores

• EG: baddeley found ppts mixed words that sound same using STM , mixed words that have similar meaning with LTM.
• suggests STM is acoustic and coding in LTM is semantic
• supports MSM of memory bc supports LTM+STM seperate

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