multi store model

• who developed the multi-store model

  Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968,1971)
• what is the multi store model

  the MSM describes how information flows through the memory system
• stores in the multi-store model

  the model suggests that memory is made up of three stores linked by processing

  
• what is the sensory register

  where the brain receives and stores information from the environment through the five senses
• coding of the sensory register

  modality-specific (depends on the sense)

  visual information= coded in iconic memory

  acoustic information= coded in echoic memory
• capacity of the sensory register

  very high (e.g. over one hundred million cells in each eye, each storing data)
• duration of the sensory register

  very brief- less than half a second
• where does information go to after the sensory register

  in you pay attention, information passes into the STM
• what is the STM

  a temporary store of information
• coding of the STM

  mainly acoustic
• duration of the STM

  18-30 seconds
• capacity of STM

  7+/-2 items
• what is maintenance rehearsal

  when information is repeated over and over again

  keeps information in STM
• how does information pass into the LTM from STM

  with prolonged rehearsal
• what is the LTM

  a potentially permanent memory store
• coding of LTM

  mainly semantic
• duration of LTM

  infinite
• capacity of LTM

  unlimited
• how is information recalled from the LTM

  information has to be retrieved for it to pass into the STM from the LTM
• what case studied can be used to support the MSM

  the case of HM
• what surgery did HM undergo

  HM underwent surgery to relieve his epilepsy
• what was removed in HM's surgery

  his hippocampus from both sides of his brain was removed
• what is the hippocampus

  a brain structure that plays a key role in learning, memory and emotion
• what was the impact on HM

  he lost his ability to form new long-term memories

  but performed well on tests that measured STM
• how does the case of HM support the MSM

  highlights that short-term memory and long-term memory are separate stores
• strengths of the MSM

  supported by research (case of HM + Baddeley)

  evidence of different stores

  first cognitive explanation
• limitations of MSM

  more than one type of LTM (cases of KF)

  oversimplified

  doesn't explain memory distortion

  lack of evidence to say that LTM capacity is unlimited