Section 2 - Memory - Models

Question 1

multistore model

Answer 1

Atkinson and Shiffrin

• sensory register
• short-term memory
• long-term memory

Question 2

sensory register

Answer 2

• stimuli from environment pass via SR
• SR contains one store for each sense
• coding varies, eg store coding for visual=iconic memory, acoustic infor= echoic memory
  -duration, <0.5 seconds (unless pay attention)
• capacity, high

Question 3

What is the short term memory

Answer 3

• coding is usually acoustic (sound)
• capacity 5-9 pieces of information (concluded by Miller), Cowan suggested more likely to be lower end eg 5
• duration 18s

-maintenance rehersal, keeps in STM
-if reherse enough, passes into LTM

Question 4

What is long term memory

Answer 4

• permanent memory store
• coding is usually semantic
  -unlimited capacity
  -unlimited duration - Bahdrick

Question 5

What is long term memory

Answer 5

• permanent memory store
• coding is usually semantic
  -unlimited capacity and duration
  -retrieval, recalling info from LTM back into STM

Question 6

What are the three types of long term memory

Answer 6

• Episodic memory
• semantic memory
• procedural memory

Question 7

Evaluate MSM
Research Support
Strength

Answer 7

Eg Baddeley - mix up similar sound in STM, similar meaning in LTM, therefore different types of encoding

also different capacity and duration as concluded by research

Shows the two are separate processes

BUT

studies used digits and letters - Jacobs, consonany syllables - Peterson and Peterson, lack relevance to real life where we remember more meaningful memories, memories are formed aorund names, places, facts

Question 8

Evaluate MSM
More than one STM
Weakness

Answer 8

Shallice and Warrington - studied KF, amnesia, his STM for digits was poor when read aloud but better when he read, MSM is wrong, there is more than one STM processing different types of infor eg visual and auditoty

Question 9

Working Memory Model

Answer 9

Explanation of how STM is organised + its functions

Question 10

WMM
Central Executive

Answer 10

-Has a supervisory role
-Moniters data
-Allocates sub-systems to tasks
-Limited capacity
-Does not store info

Question 11

WMM - Phonological Loop

Answer 11

-Deals with auditory information
-Consists of:
1. Phonological store, stors words we hear
2. Articulatory process, allows maintenance rehersal, leeps words in the WMM, while they are needed
-capacity is 2 seconds worth of words

Question 12

WMM - Visuo-spatial sketchpad

Answer 12

-stores visual and spatial information
-limited capacity, Baddeley said 3to4 objects
-consists of:
1. Visual cache, stores visual data
2. Inner scribe, records arrangement of objects in the visual field

Question 13

WMM - Episodic buffer

Answer 13

-temporary store of info
-intergrates visual, spatial and verbal information processed by other stores
-seen as storage component of central executive
-limited capacity, Baddeley said 4 chunks
-links working memory to LTM and wider cognitive processes eg perception

Question 14

Evaluating WMM
Clinical Evidence
Strength

Answer 14

-Support from Shallice and Warringtons study of KF
-KF, poor STM ability for auditory info, process visual info normally
-immediate recall of letters and digits was better when he read (visual), compared to when her heard (acoustic)
-Kfs phonological loop was damaged but VSS intact

BUT

KF, may have had other cognitive impairments other than phonological loop, which may have affected his performance of memory tasks
-Challenges evidence from clinical studies of people with brain injuries

Question 15

Evaluating WMM
Dual Task Performance
Strength

Question 16

Evaluating WMM
Nature of Central Executive
Weakness

Question 17

Evaluating WMM
Validity of the Model