Multi store model of memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin 1968)

Question 1

What does the MSM suggest ?

Answer 1

• 3 unitary stores
• information transferred between stores in a linear sequence

Question 2

What are the 3 mains stores of the MSM ?

Answer 2

• Sensory register
• STM
• LTM

Question 3

How is the sensory register encoded ?

Answer 3

Modality specific

Question 4

What is the duration of the sensory register ?

Answer 4

short = 1-4s

Question 5

What is the capacity of the sensory register ?

Answer 5

large unlimited = 100m+ cells in each eye

Question 6

How is a sensory memory retrieved ?

Answer 6

Scanning

Question 7

What is supporting research for the sensory register ?

Answer 7

Sperling = remember as many 12 symbols as he could that he showed for 1/20 a second, each item faed around 50ms & remembered 4/5

Question 8

How does memory move from the sensory register to the STM ?

Answer 8

If paid attention to otherwise it decays

Question 9

How is STM encoded ?

Answer 9

Acoustically

Question 10

What is the duration of the STM ?

Answer 10

Up to 30s, overcome by maintenance rehearsal

Question 11

What is the capacity of the STM ?

Answer 11

7+/-2 items, overcome by chunking

Question 12

What is supporting research for the STM ?

Answer 12

Peterson & Peterson = count backwards as distractor task, any longer than 15s recall was impossible

Question 13

How does memory move from the STM to LTM ?

Answer 13

Elaborative rehearsal, otherwise displacement

Question 14

How is the LTM encoded ?

Answer 14

Organised into schemas, based on semantic/temporal memory

Question 15

What is the capacity of the LTM ?

Answer 15

Unlimited

Question 16

What is the duration of the LTM ?

Answer 16

Indefinite = fades over time

Question 17

How is the LTM retrieved ?

Answer 17

• Distorted way by filling in gaps to create meaningful memory
• Semantic/temporal search = ‘tip of the tongue phenonemon’

Question 18

What is supporting research for the LTM ?

Answer 18

Bahrick et al = ppts 90% accurate in recognising faces that was tested after 15 years of graduation

Question 19

How is KF supporting research ?

Answer 19

STM severely impaired, LTM remained intact = suggests existence of different stores

Question 20

How is KF opposing research ?

Answer 20

Deficit in verbal information, normal for visual information = STM not unitary

Question 21

What is an alternative theory ?

Answer 21

WMM = known as more accurate description & how memories convert into LTM = not unitary stores

Question 22

What are applications to this theory ?

Answer 22

• Eye witness testimony
• Revision strategies
• Suggestion on how to improve memory = rehearsal