Multi- Store Model Of Memory

Question 1

Who was the multi-store model of memory proposed by?

Answer 1

Atkinson and Shiffrin

Question 2

What is the multi-store model of memory?

Answer 2

It explains that information must be rehearsed for information to be transferred from short term memory to long term memory.

Question 3

What are the components of the model?

Answer 3

• Sensory memory
• Short term memory
• Long term memory

Question 4

What is the sensory memory?

Answer 4

Allows for the immediate perception of environmental stimuli. It has several stores (one for each of our senses).

Question 5

How long can the information in the sensory memory last for?

Answer 5

Information is rapidly lost from sensory memory less than 1 second

Question 6

What must happen in order for the sensory information to move to short term memory?

Answer 6

Attention must be paid otherwise it decays (without attention)

Question 7

How much can short term memory store?

Answer 7

According to Miller, 1956, it can hold up to 7+ / -2 items.

Question 8

How long can short term memory store information?

Answer 8

For 18-30 seconds

Question 9

How can the capacity of short term memory increase?

Answer 9

By chunking information

Question 10

What happens if information is not rehearsed in the short term memory?

Answer 10

It is forgotten by decay or displacement

Question 11

What is elaborative rehearsal?

Answer 11

Linking new information with information you already know to move information into your long-term memory. Creating associations, personal connections, restating information or organising concepts in a personal way (e.g. mind map)

Question 12

How much capacity does long term memory have?

Answer 12

Unlimited capacity

Question 13

How long can long term memory retain information?

Answer 13

For potentially up to a lifetime

Question 14

How is long term memory encoded?

Answer 14

Long term memory is encoded semantically (based on meaning)

Question 15

How is information forgotten in long term memory?

Answer 15

Information is forgotten by decay or interference

Question 16

What is a strength of this model?

Answer 16

Evidence from case studies of people with brain damage that support the distinction between STM and LTM.
Example: Clive Wearing was still able to skillfully play the piano and understand the concept of music but was unable to remember his wife visiting him 5 minutes previously. Therefore, this highlights his LTM is unaffected but his STM is damaged.
This demonstrates the existence of separate STM and LTM stores as suggested by the Multi Store Model as damage to STM is preventing the transfer of memories to LTM.

Question 17

What is a weakness of this model?

Answer 17

The description of STM may be too simplistic.
Dual task experiments suggest that STM can be influenced by the type of task. 1 verbal + 1 visual is easier to do than 2 verbal tasks. This dual capacity cannot be explained by MSM as it highlights the limited capacity of STM is not dependent on the type of information.
Therefore, Working memory is a better explanation as it explains dual task performance and is seen as a more dynamic model of STM.