Memory

• The multi-store model (MSM) was devised by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)
• The Multi-store model is an explanation of memory that sees information flowing through a series of storage systems.
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  The Multi-store model has three permanent structures: the sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory
• The stages of the MSM are:

  1. Coding
  2. Capacity
  3. Duration
• Coding , Capacity and Duration :

  1. Coding is the form in which information is stored.
  2. Capacity is how much information can be stored.
  3. Duration is how long information can be stored.
• Multi-store model (MSM) component terms:

  1. The sensory register is a short-duration store holding impressions of information received by the senses.
  2. A temporary store holding small amounts of information for brief periods of time is known as short-term memory.
  3. A permanent store that holds limitless amounts of information for long periods is the long-term memory.
• Coding in the Sensory Register (SR) - MSM

  • Information is stored in unprocessed forms.
  • Echoic store for auditory information.
  • Iconic store for visual information.
  • Haptic store for tactile information (touch)
  • Gustatory store fore taste information.
  • Olfactory store for smell.
• The Sensory Register (SR) - MSM

  • Information that is paid attention to passes on to the short-term memory.
• Capacity to the Sensory Register (SR) - MSM

  • The capacity of each sensory memory store is very large.
• Duration of the Sensory Register (SR) - MSM

  • All sensory memory stores has a limited duration.
  • Duration decreases with age.
  • Different types of information decay at different rates.
• Duration of the SR: (Research) - MSM

  • Walsh & Thompson (1978) found that the iconic store has an average of 500 milliseconds, which decreases as individuals get older. This suggests duration of sensory memories are limited and dependent on age.
• Coding in the SR: (Research) - MSM

  • Crowder (1993) found that the SR only retains information in the iconic store for a few milliseconds. but for two to three seconds with the echoic store, which supports the idea of sensory information being coded into different sensory stores. (Also suggests different durations)
• Capacity of the SR: (Research) - MSM

  • Javitt et al. (1960) reported a biological basis to SR capacity, as the capacity of the iconic and echoic stores was found to be related to efficiency of the nervous system, which suggests there are individual differences in SR capacity.
• Coding in the STM - (MSM)

  • Visually - through images
  • Acoustically - through repetition
  • Semantically - through meaning
• Capacity of the STM - (MSM)

  • The short-term memory has a limited capacity as only small amounts of information are held in the store.
  • Research shows between five and nine items can be held, capacity can be increased through chunking.
• Chunking is a method of increasing STM capacity by grouping information into larger units.
• Duration of the STM - (MSM)

  • The maximum duration of the STM is 30 seconds.
  • This can be extended by rehearsal of the information.
  • If rehearsed enough information will transfer into the Long-term memory.
• Memory Research - ( Alan Baddeley) 1966

  • Aim - To see whether coding in the STM and LTM is mainly acoustic (by sound) or semantic (by meaning).
  • Procedure - 75 participants were given 4 lists of words to repeat: List A was similar words {cat, mat, sat}
  • List B was dissimilar words {pit, day, cow}
  • List C was semantically similar words {big, huge, tall}
  • List D was semantically dissimilar words {hot, safer, foul}
  • Finding - List A was the worst as only 10 % recalled all words correctly. The other lists were comparatively good at 60 - 80 %
• Long-term memory (MSM)

  • Coding: Mainly semantic but can also occur in visual and acoustic codes.
  • Capacity: It's store is unlimited
  • Duration: Depends on a persons life span as memories can last a life time. Information in the STM has to be continually rehearsed before transferred to the LTM. Once in the LTM information doesn't need to be rehearsed.
• POSITIVE evaluation of the Multi-store model:

  • One strength of the multistore model is that is gives us a good understanding of the structure and process of the STM. This is good because this allows researchers to expand on this model.
  • Many memory studies provide evidence to support the distinction between STM and LTM (in terms of encoding, duration and capacity). The model can account for primacy & recency effects.
• NEGATIVE evaluation of the Multi-store model:

  • The model is oversimplified, in particular when it suggests that both short-term and long-term memory each operate in a single, uniform fashion.  We now know is this not the case.
  • Rehearsal is considered a too simple explanation to account for the transfer of information from STM to LTM. For instance, the model ignores factors such as motivation, effect and strategy (e.g. mnemonics) which underpin learning.