Multi- Store model of Memory Flashcards
Multi -Store Model psychologists
Atkinson and Sheffrin (1968)
What is the multi-store model of memory?
Describes how information flows through the memory system. Suggests that memory is made up of three linked stores: long term memory, short term memory, sensory register
The sensory register
Takes in stimulus from the environment. Has register for each of the 5 senses:
- Iconic register - visual/sight information, visual coding
-Echoic register - sound information, coding is acoustic
-Other register for smell, taste and touch
Coding in each is modality specific so depends on the sense
Short duration, less than a second
High capacity
Information passes further into the short term memory, but only if you pay attention to it
Short term memory
Information that is payed attention to passes into the short term memory
Info in the STM is coded mainly acoustically and lasts about 18 seconds unless it is rehearsed
STM is temporary and has limited capacity store
Maintenance rehearsal occurs when we repeat (rehearse) material to ourselves over
We keep it in the STM until it is rehearsed long enough to pass into the LTM
Long term memory
Potentially permanent memory store for the information that has been rehearsed
LTM - codes semantically, and duration can be up to a lifetime (Bahrick et al)
When we want to recall information from LTM, it has been transferred back to the STM by retrieval
Supporting evidence for MSM
The case study of HM
The case study of HM
Supports HM as it shows existence of long and short term memory and the idea that they are two different stores
HM is evidence that it is possible to damage one of these stores and the other remain unaffected
HM’s LTM is badly damaged. Had no memory of events just happened hours or minutes earlier. LTM never improved with practice
Testing showed STM was less damaged. Had almost normal digit span and showed that he could recall information presented to him immediately
Common pattern among patients of amnesia
Research support for MSM
Supports other studies showing LTM and STM are different
Baddeley found we tended to mix up words that sounded similar using our STM, tended to mix up words that had similar meaning using out LTM. Show that LTM and STM are different stores
HOWEVER: the majority of studies use digits, letters and words that have no everyday meaning. Means the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works in our everyday life where we have to remember much more meaningful information
MSM limitation - more than one STM store
Tim Shallice and Elizabeth Warrington (1970) studied a client with amnesia called KF
STM for digits was poor when they were read aloud to him, but his recall was higher when he read the digits for himself
Further studies of KF showed there could be a short-term memory store for non-verbal sounds
Evidence against MSM that there was only one STM store for all types of information
MSM limitation - more than one STM store
Tim Shallice and Elizabeth Warrington (1970) studied a client with amnesia called KF
STM for digits was poor when they were read aloud to him, but his recall was higher when he read the digits for himself
Further studies of KF showed there could be a short-term memory store for non-verbal sounds
Evidence against MSM that there was only one STM store for all types of information
MSM limitation - elaborative rehearsal
Prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM
MSM claims that the more you rehearse something, the more likely it is to be transferred to long term memory (prolonged rehearsal)
Craig and Watkins (1973) - found that the type of rehearsal is more is important than the amount. Elaborative rehearsal is needed for long-term storage. Occurs when you link information to existing knowledge or you think about what it means. Allows information to be transferred to LTM without prolonged rehearsal. Suggests MSM does not fully explain how long-term storage is achieved
MSM limitation - bygone model
Atkinson and Sheffirn based research on available evidence at the time. STM and LTM were thought to be independent from each other
Lot of evidence that suggests that LTM and STM are not single memory stores, but there are separate types for each. Research showing there is more than one type of STM and more than one type of rehearsal, the MSM is an over simplified model
