Multi-Store Model of memory

• Multi-store model


  An information processor model that is linear, meaning information is moved through in one direction, and the stores are passive, meaning they just hold on to information
• Stores in the multi-store model

  • Sensory register
  • Short-term memory
  • Long-term memory
• Sensory register


  • Directly receives sensory information
  • Coding is modality-specific (depends on the sense organ)
  • Capacity is very large, potentially unlimited
  • Duration is very short, around 250 milliseconds
• Short-term memory


  • Coding is acoustic
  • Capacity is 7 items plus or minus 2
  • Duration is 18-30 seconds
• Long-term memory


  • Coding is semantic (stored as part of a set of meaningful connections)
  • Capacity and duration are very large, potentially unlimited
• Information flow through the multi-store model

  1. Sensory register

  2. Attention to transfer to short-term memory

  3. Rehearsal to transfer to long-term memory
• Information not attended to in the sensory register is lost
• Information not rehearsed in short-term memory is lost due to displacement or decay
• The multi-store model is a simplistic model that doesn't capture the complexity of memory processes
• The research on the multi-store model may lack ecological validity as it uses artificial tasks in lab environments
• The multi-store model makes assumptions about memory that lack face validity, such as the fixed capacity of short-term memory
• The multi-store model is supported by evolutionary theory, as quick reactions for survival would require a large sensory register but only processing important information in short and long-term memory