multi-store memory model

• Atkinson and Shifrin (1968) developed the multi-store memory model
• The MSM suggested memory is made up of a series of stores. They describe memory as information flowing through a system.
• There are 3 parts to the MSM:

  • the sensory register
  • the short term memory
  • the long term memory
• Sensory register: information is detected by the sense organs and enters the sensory register.

  • Coding is sense specific
  • Capacity is very high
  • Duration is very brief
• Short term memory in MSM: information that is paid attention to passes on to STM
• Long term memory in MSM: information in the short term is transferred to the long term if that information is rehearsed. If rehearsal does not occur information is forgotten or lost from STM through decay or displacement
• When we want to recall information from LTM, it has to be transferred back into STM through retrieval
• Studies from coding, capacity and duration support the idea that there are separate memory stores
• Shallie and Warrington (1970) studied patient KF, who’s short term memory was damaged after a motorcycle accident and they found that his STM for digits read aloud was very poor but better when read to himself. Further studies showed there could be other STM stores even for non-verbal sounds
• MSM suggests prolonged rehearsal explains that in long term memory storage, the amount is important. Craik and Watkins (1973) found the type of rehearsal more important than the amount of rehearsal.
• Elaborative rehearsal is needed for long term storage. This occurs when you link the information to your existing knowledge or you think about what it means