The Multi-Store Model

Question 1

What is the MSM?

Answer 1

A structural model of memory that details a one-way flow of information through memory, consisting of three stores

Question 2

What are the 3 stores of the MSM?

Answer 2

• The Sensory Register
• STM
• LTM

Question 3

What is the Sensory Register?

Answer 3

The system through which stimuli from the environment first enter the memory system.

Question 4

What is required to move information on through the Sensory Register?

Answer 4

Attention

Question 5

How is the Sensory Register encoded?

Answer 5

Coding is specific to each of the 5 registers (eg. visual= iconic)

Question 6

What is the duration of the Sensory Register?

Answer 6

Very brief (less than half a second)

Question 7

What is the capacity of the Sensory Register?

Answer 7

Very high

Question 8

How is information passed on from STM to LTM?

Answer 8

Via maintenance rehearsal

Question 9

What is maintenance rehearsal?

Answer 9

The internal repetition of information to oneself on a loop to ensure that it’s transferred from STM to LTM

Question 10

What is retrieval?

Answer 10

Recalling information from LTM, meaning it is transferred back into STM

Question 11

How do each of the 3 stores of the MSM differ?

Answer 11

In terms of how they’re encoded, their capacity and their duration

Question 12

How many registers does the Sensory Register consist of?

Answer 12

5- one for each of the senses

Question 13

How is STM encoded?

Answer 13

Acoustically

Question 14

How is LTM encoded?

Answer 14

Semantically

Question 15

What is the duration of STM?

Answer 15

Between 15-30 seconds

Question 16

What is the duration of LTM?

Answer 16

Up to a lifetime

Question 17

What is the capacity of STM?

Answer 17

Around 7 items, + or - 2

Question 18

What is the capacity of LTM?

Answer 18

Unlimited

Question 19

Which studies support the idea that STM and LTM are separate stores, as according to the MSM?

Answer 19

• Baddeley’s study of Encoding
• Peterson & Peterson’s study of STM Duration
• Bahrick’s study of LTM Duration

Question 20

How did the MSM kickstart neurological research regarding memory?

Answer 20

It was the first model, and so provided a testable basis for further research into memory

Question 21

Why has the MSM been criticised for being oversimplified?

Answer 21

• It suggests both STM and LTM are unitary stores, when there is evidence that suggests they aren’t
• It suggests a one-way flow of information, when in actuality it is multidirectional

Question 22

Which case studies suggest that STM and LTM aren’t unitary stores, contradicting the MSM?

Answer 22

• KF (STM)
• Clive Wearing & HM (LTM)

Question 23

How can studies supporting the MSM be criticised?

Answer 23

For their use of artificial materials and situations, meaning they lack mundane realism and have low ecological validity, as they don’t reflect how we use memory in our day-to-day lives

Question 24

Who developed the MSM of memory?

Answer 24

Atkinson & Shiffrin

Question 25

Describe Sperling’s research into the Sensory Register

Answer 25

• A grid of letters were flashed on a screen for 50 milliseconds
• The participants had to write down as many letters that they could remember
• Whilst most could only recall 4 or 5, most insisted that they had seen all the letters
• This suggests the small duration yet larger capacity of the Sensory Register