the multi store model of memory

Question 1

what are the 6 AO1 points you should know for the multi store model of memory?

Answer 1

-Overview of the MSM (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)
-Sensory Register
-Short-Term Memory (STM)
-Long-Term Memory (LTM)
-Rehearsal and Transfer Between Stores
-Supporting Evidence for MSM

Question 2

What is the Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM)?

Answer 2

Proposed by Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968), it describes memory as a linear system with three separate stores: the sensory register, STM, and LTM.

Question 3

What are the key features of the sensory register?

Answer 3

Capacity: Very large

Duration: ~0.5 seconds

Coding: Modality-specific (e.g., iconic = visual)

If attention is paid, info passes to STM.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of short-term memory (STM)?

Answer 4

Capacity: 7±2 items (Miller)

Duration: 18–30 seconds (Peterson & Peterson)

Coding: Mainly acoustic

Info maintained via maintenance rehearsal.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of long-term memory (LTM)?

Answer 5

Capacity: Unlimited

Duration: Up to a lifetime (Bahrick et al.)

Coding: Mainly semantic

Info retrieved into STM when needed.

Question 6

How does information move from STM to LTM?

Answer 6

Through maintenance rehearsal. Without rehearsal, info may decay (fade over time) or be displaced (replaced by new info) in STM.

Question 7

What research supports the MSM?

Answer 7

Baddeley (1966) showed STM is coded acoustically, LTM semantically, providing evidence that STM and LTM are separate stores.