The Multi-Store Model of Memory Flashcards
What is the MSM?
Information is received as stimulus from the environment by the sensory register (iconic, echoic) and is converted into STM by paying attention to it. If the memory undergoes prolonged rehearsal then it is transferred into the LTM. To keep it in the STM it must undergo maintenance rehearsal. TO recall something, it must be retrieved from the LTM into the STM and then given as a response.
What is the duration and capacity of the SR?
Less than half a second, and a very high capacity. (over a million cells in one eye storing data).
What is the strength of MSM - research support?
Baddeley’s study where he gave PPs acoustically dis/similar and semantically dis/similar words reinforces this, showing that the STM and LTM are different stores.
What is the limitation - Lacks mundane realism?
In everyday life we form memories related to different things, such as people’s names, faces, etc. Many of the studies used none of these materials but instead used digits, letters or random words. This means that the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works in our everyday lives.
What is the limitation - Shallice and Warrington?
They studied KF, who had amnesia. His recall was poor when digits were read to him, but better when he read them to himself. This suggests that there are different stores for different types of information, auditory, visual etc.
What is the limitation - Craik and Watkins?
Prolonged rehearsal is not required to transfer information from STM to LTM, but instead elaborative rehearsal is required. Craik and Watkins found that the type of rehearsal is more important than the amount, when you link new knowledge to existing knowledge or think about what it means. This suggests the MSM does not fully explain how LTM is achieved.
