The Multi-Store Model of Memory

• Who developed the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  Atkinson & Shiffrin
• What is the purpose of the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  It is the first cognitive model of memory
• What are the three separate stores in the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  • Sensory Register
  • Short-Term Memory (STM)
  • Long-Term Memory (LTM)
• What processes are required for the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  Attention and rehearsal
• What is the function of the Sensory Register?

  It is the initial point for stimuli from the environment
• What are the two types of information in the Sensory Register?

  • Iconic: Visual information
  • Echoic: Auditory information
• How is information coded in the Sensory Register?

  It is modality specific: visual (Iconic) and auditory (Echoic)
• What is the duration of information in the Sensory Register?

  1. 2 seconds
• What is the capacity of the Sensory Register?

  It has a large capacity, holding information from all senses
• What type of coding is used in Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  Acoustic (sound-based)
• What is the duration of information in Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  18-30 seconds
• What is the capacity of Short-Term Memory (STM) according to Miller's law?

  7 ± 2 items
• What is required to maintain information in Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  Rehearsal is required to retain information
• What is prolonged rehearsal in relation to Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  It transfers information to Long-Term Memory (LTM)
• What type of coding is used in Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

  Semantic (meaning-based)
• What is the duration of information in Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

  Potentially a lifetime
• What is the capacity of Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

  Unlimited
• What is often the reason for forgetting in Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

  Retrieval failure, not loss of information
• What does coding refer to in the context of memory?

  Transformation of information for memory storage
• What does capacity refer to in the context of memory?

  Amount of information held
• What does duration refer to in the context of memory?

  Length of time information is retained
• What are the strengths and limitations of the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  Strengths:

  • Research support from Glazner & Cunitz (1966) showing primacy & recency effects

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rehearsal overemphasis: Transfer to LTM does not always require rehearsal
  • STM is too simplistic: KF's case suggests multiple STM types
• What did Glazner & Cunitz (1966) find regarding memory recall?

  They found strong recall at the beginning and end of a list
• What implication does the research by Glazner & Cunitz (1966) have for the Multi-Store Model?

  It supports STM and LTM as distinct stores
• What is a limitation regarding the emphasis on rehearsal in the Multi-Store Model?

  Transfer to LTM does not always require rehearsal
• What does the case of KF suggest about Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  It suggests there are multiple types of STM (verbal vs. visual)
• What is the recap table for the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

  | Store | Coding | Duration | Capacity |

  |-----------|---------------------|----------------|--------------------|

  | STM | Acoustic | 18-30 seconds | 7 ± 2 items |

  | LTM | Semantic | Lifetime | Unlimited |