The Multi-Store Model of Memory (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1986)

Question 1

What happens at the sensory register?

Answer 1

information comes in but is lost if not paid attention to

Question 2

How does information move from the sensory register to short term memory?

Answer 2

by being paid attention to

Question 3

What must be done for information to stay in short term memory?

Answer 3

maintenance rehearsal

Question 4

How might information be lost at short term memory?

Answer 4

if it is not rehearsed

Question 5

What must happen in order to move information from short term to long term memory?

Answer 5

elaborate rehearsal

Question 6

Applications (4)

Answer 6

• advice to students
• knowledge for psychologists
• people with memory loss
• people who struggle to remember information

Question 7

What is trace decay and where does it take place?

Answer 7

trace decay can occur in long term memory whereby memories decay over time

Question 8

Sensory register: encoding

Answer 8

modality specific (from senses)

Question 9

Short term: encoding

Answer 9

does not depend on the input

Question 10

Long term: encoding

Answer 10

depends on rehearsal process and pre-existing knowledge

Question 11

Sensory register: storage duration

Answer 11

a few hundred milliseconds until paid attention to

Question 12

Short term: storage duration

Answer 12

15-30 seconds

Question 13

Long term: storage duration

Answer 13

potentially a lifetime

Question 14

Short term: storage capacity

Answer 14

5-8 items of information (7+/-2)

Question 15

Long term: storage capacity

Answer 15

potentially infinite

Question 16

Sensory register: forgetting

Answer 16

information is forgotten unless paid attention to

Question 17

Short term: forgetting

Answer 17

only if rehearsal doesn’t occur

Question 18

Short term: retrieval

Answer 18

rapid scan of stored information (rehearsal required to maintain information in this store)

Question 19

Long term: retrieval

Answer 19

linked to sensory modalities

Question 20

Evaluation: supporting study

Answer 20

Glanzer & Cunitz (1966) - primary effect (LTM) and recency effect (STM)

Question 21

Evaluation: criticism

Answer 21

Good - lab conditions means high reliability

Bad - lab conditions means low ecological validity

Question 22

Evaluation: opposing studies

Answer 22

Clive Wearing - impaired STM, can’t transfer information to LTM - memory is more complex than described in MSM

Question 23

Evaluation: different theories

Answer 23

Baddeley & Hitch (1974) working memory model - builds on the short term memory information provided in MSM

Question 24

Evaluation: applications

Answer 24

advice to students - rehearsal of information helps to move it to LTM, which has a duration of potentially a lifetime