multi-store model

• Multi-store model: A representation of how memory works in terms of three stores called the sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory. It also describes how info is transferred from one store to another, what makes memories last and what makes memories dissapear.
• Sensory register:

  • All stimuli from the environment passes into the SR.
  • It has one register for each of our five senses.
  • Duration is very brief.
  • It has a high capacity.
  • Info only passes to the STM if you pay attention to it.
• Short-term memory:

  • Information is coded mainly acoustically and lasts around 18 seconds.
  • STM is limited and can only hold around 7 pieces of information.
  • We can keep information in the STM as long as it is rehearsed.
  • If not rehearsed it is forgotten.
• Long-term memory:

  • Permanent memory store.
  • Coded semantically.
  • When we want to recall information we have to ‘retrieve’ it so it goes back into the STM.
• MSM Evaluation (Strength):

  • There is support from many studies which say that STM and LTM are different.
  • For example Baddley who showed a difference in coding.
  • These studies show that each store is speperate.
• MSM Evaluation (limitation):

  • Many of the studies done used artificial stimuli which means it is hard to generalise into everyday activity.
• MSM Evaluation (limitation):

  • Shallice and Warrington found that there could be more than one STM store.
  • This suggests that the MSM is wrong in claiming that there is only one.
• MSM Evaluation (limitation):

  • Prolonged rehearsal may not be needed to transfer to the LTM.
  • Elaborate rehearsal is needed instead which mean the MSM doesn’t fully explain how information is transferred.