the multi store memory model

Question 1

what is the definition of ‘memory’?

Answer 1

the structure and processes involved in the storage and subsequent retrieval of information after the presence of the original stimuli

Question 2

who was the multi store memory model proposed by?

Answer 2

atkinson and shiffrin

Question 3

describe the sensory register

Answer 3

• information enters from environment via senses
• encoded visually (iconic) and acoustically (echoic)
• unlimited capacity
• brief duration (milliseconds)

Question 4

how is information forgotten from sensory register?

Answer 4

if no attention is paid to it

Question 5

describe the short term memory store

Answer 5

• information encoded acoustically
• 7+/-2 chunks capacity
• 18 second duration

Question 6

how is information forgotten from the short term memory?

Answer 6

no maintenance rehearsal or displacement

Question 7

how is information retrieved in short term memory?

Answer 7

maintenance rehearsal

Question 8

describe the long term memory store

Answer 8

• information encoded semantically
• lifetime duration
• potentially unlimited capacity

Question 9

how is information forgotten from long term memory?

Answer 9

decay or interference

Question 10

what is the recency effect?

Answer 10

having better recall for items at the end of a list because they haven’t been displaced from STM yet as they have been there less time

Question 11

what is the primacy effect?

Answer 11

having better recall for items at the start of a list because they have been transferred into LTM so available for recall

Question 12

why are items decayed from memory?

Answer 12

lack of availability/space and limited capacity

Question 13

what is meant by information being processed in a linear pattern?

Answer 13

information is processed through a system in a set order such as storing, encoding and retrieving

Question 14

what did Miller propose about ‘chunking’?

Answer 14

more information is recalled by grouping similar items together to reduce a larger capacity

Question 15

what did Brown and McNeill propose about the ‘tip of the tongue’ phenomenon?

Answer 15

not being able to fully recall a memory but knowing different aspects of it

Question 16

how does the tip of the tongue phenomenon relate to long term memory?

Answer 16

there are multiple traces of a single memory fragmented into different aspects

Question 17

what is a strength of the multi store model (PEE)?
- clive wearing

Answer 17

a strength of the multi store model of memory is the supporting evidence from Clive Wearing who had anterograde and retrograde amnesia. this meant he was unable to form new long term memories although he could engage in conversation for a few seconds before forgetting, which shows that his STM was still intact to an extent. therefore, this supports the model because it suggests that STM and LTM have separate stores and the linear transfer from STM is essential in creating long term memories.

Question 18

what is a strength of the multi store model (PEE)?
- peterson and peterson

Answer 18

a strength of the multi store model is the supporting evidence from Peterson and Petrson. they used nonsense trigrams to investigate the duration of short term memory and found that after 3 seconds, 80% were recalled but after 18 seconds, 10% were recalled. therefore, this supports the model because it aligns with the limited duration of STM and the existence of maintenance rehearsal at 3 seconds followed by the process of decay.

Question 19

what is a weakness for the multi store model (PEE)?
- peterson and peterson

Answer 19

however, in peterson and peterson’s study, nonsense trigrams were used to reflect short term memory. this artificial task lacks mundane realism because recalling nonsense trigrams is very different to everyday tasks in the real world. therefore, it lacks task validity and the fact that the trigrams were nonsense suggests that the decay could be due to confusion rather than memory processes.

Question 20

what are the applications of the multi store model? (PEE)

Answer 20

a strength of the multi store model is that it has practical applications. for example, the model emphasises the importance of maintenance rehearsal when transferring STM into LTM. therefore, this would benefit students in terms of their revision as they should continuously go over and practise content in order to sufficiently memorise information for an exam.

Question 21

what is a weakness of the multi store model? (PEE)
- simplistic

Answer 21

a weakness of the multi store model is that it is considered to be reductionist. it reduces memory down to 3 components and lacks detail on the complex functions. for example, the description of transfer from STM to LTM only being due to ‘maintenance rehearsal.’ additionally, it does not account for formation of LTM without rehearsal, such as remembering what you ate for dinner on your birthday, even though you did not rehearse this. therefore, it has simplified a much more complex process which reduces the credibility and makes it an incomplete explanation.

Question 22

how does clive wearing’s case challenge the multi store model? (PEE)

Answer 22

the case of clive wearing can criticise the multi store model. for example, his long term memory for facts was particularly damaged, however he could remember how to walk, talk and play the piano. therefore, this suggests that LTM is not one unitary store, making the model a weak explanation which has oversimplified a much more complex system.