The multi-store model (MSM) Flashcards
(for features of msm i havent included names of psychologists test determining coding/capacity so might need to add)
The multi-store model: explanation
The MSM is a cognitive approach to explaining the memory, developed by Atkinson and Shiffrin. It explains how info flows through a sensory register, the short term memory and finally the long term memory.
These differ in terms of: coding, how info is stored/represented, capacity, how muchinfo can be stored, and duration, how long the information is stored for. The model shows the process of memory as the SR gathers information from the 5 senses, including echoic (sound) and iconic (sight), which will flow to the STM if given attention. Next, through rehearsal of this information, it will flow to the long term memory for more permanent storage.
What is coding?
The form in which the information is stored/represented
What is capacity?
how much info can be stored
What is duration?
how long information can be stored for?
Features of MSM: sensory register
The SR is an automatic response to the reception of sensory information by the sensory organs (e.g echoic store and iconic store). Each store in the SR has a very large capacity and is stored in an unprocessed form, and has a limited duration, with the iconic store being found to be around half a second.
Features of MSM: short term memory
The STM temporarily stores info recieved from the SR, and is an active memory system as it contains information currently being thought about. It arrives in its original raw form, and is coded usually either visually(thinking of the image of the info) , acoustically(repeating dictation of info) or semantically (giving meaning to info). It has a limited capacity, however it can be increased by chunking where the size of the units of information in storage is increased by giving them collective meaning, found by Miller to be around 5-9 items at a time. Information remains in the STM for a maximum of 30 seconds, which can be extended by rehearsal which will result in the info being transferred to the long term memory store, if done for long enough.
Features of MSM: long term memory
LTM stores information for a whole lifetime , with any info stored for longer than 30 seconds counting as LTM. LTMs are not passive but may change and merge with other LTMS over time, which suggets why memories aren’t necessarily constant or accurate. Coding is mainly semantic (meaning) and will be stronger the deeper the level of processing of a stimulus that occus while it is being experienced. The potential capacity is unlimited, howver infomay be lost due to decay and interference. The duration depends on an individuals lifespan as memories can last a lifetime, doesnt have to be rehearsed to be retained.
The multi-store model: evaluation: Strength 1
Model supported by amnesia patients, as patients with amnesia either lose their LTM or STM abilities but not both, Clive Wearing is a real life case study that supports this as he could remember how to play the piano and his wife, but could not remember what his wife had said to him after 7 seconds of her saying it, showing his loss of STM abilities but not LTM. This supports the MSM’s idea that the STM and LTM are seperate stores.
The multi-store model: evaluation: Strength 2
It makes sense that memories in the LTM are encoded semantically – i.e. you might recall the general message put across in a political speech, rather than all of the words as they were heard.
The multi-store model: evaluation: Limitation 1
However, is oversimplified as it assumes there are single STM and LTM stores, despite research indicating the opposite and the working memory model proposes several types of STM such as the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad, and furthermore research tells us there are different types of LTM (procedural, episodic and semantic).
The multi-store model: evaluation: Limitation 2
It is only assumed that LTM has an unlimited capacity, as research has been unable to measure this accurately, which reduces the validity of this model as it assumes things that haven’t been proven.
