Multi-Store Model Of Memory Flashcards
Who invented the Multi-Store Model of Memory?
Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968)
How does the Multi-Store Model of memory work?
Info passes from store to store in linear way, like computer, input, process, output.
Describes flow between 3 permanent storage systems of memory: Sensory Register, STM & LTM
Info detected by sense organs & enters sensory memory, SR stores sensory info, only for 0.5 secs before forgotten
It’s modality-specific; whichever sense is registered will match way it’s held (taste held as taste)
However, if attended to, sensory info transfers to STM for temporary storage, encoded visually (as image) or acoustically (as sound)
STM has capacity of 5-9 items & duration of approx 30 secs
Rehearsing info in STM, via rehearsal loop, helps to retain info in STM & consolidate it to LTM, which is predominantly encoded semantically
Info can be stored & retrieved for any duration & has unlimited capacity
Evaluate the Multi-Store Model of Memory
Strength - Supporting research evidence
E.g. Baddeley found we mix up words that sound similar when using our STMs, we mix up words that have similar meaning in our LTMs
Shows acoustic coding in STM & semantic coding in LTM. They’re different, so support MSM, as theory states 2 memory stores independent.
Limitation - Cognitive research into MSM lacks external & ecological validity
E.g. Recall tests with lists of words, Ebbinghaus & lab experiments
Results collected not generalisable to more naturalistic situations of work & school. Lack of mundane realism, tasks used are unlike how people use memory in real life.
Limitation - Theories based on inferences
E.g. Models of memory can’t be directly observed, so researchers have to make inferences on structure of memories based on behaviour observed in research
These inferences are just educated guesses & could be incorrect, they’re not scientifically true.
