multi-store model

• multi-store model

  = representation of how memory works in terms of 3 stores called the sensory register, STM and LTM.

  • it describes how information is transferred from one store to another, what makes some memories last and what makes some memories disappear.
• multi-store model

  Atkinson and Shiffrin

  
• sensory register

  = all stimuli from the environment pass into the sensory register.

  • comprises of several registers, one for each of our 5 senses.
  • coding in each store is modality-specific: the store coding for visual information is iconic memory and the store coding acoustically is echoic.
  • Other sensory registers for touch, taste, smell information.
  • Duration= very brief (less than half a second)
  • capacity= very high
  • information passed further into memory system if you pay attention
• Short-term memory

  = information is coded mainly acoustically and lasts about 18 seconds unless rehearsed, so STM is more of a temporary store.

  • STM is a limited store because it can only contain a certain number of things before forgetting occurs.
  • maintenance rehearsal= repeat material to ourselves over and over again. We can keep information in our STM as long as we rehearse it, it will then pass into LTM.
• Long-term memory

  = potentially permanent memory store for information that has rehearsed for a prolonged time.

  • LTM mainly coded semantically.
  • duration may be up to a lifetime.
  • capacity thought to be unlimited.
  • according to the multi-store model, we want to recall information for LTM, it has to be transferred back into STM= retrieval.
• Evaluation- research support

  strength= support from studies showing that STM and LTM are different.

  • eg: Baddeley found that we tend to mix up words that sound similar when we are using our STMs.
  • But we mix up words that have similar meanings when we use our LTMs.
  • Further support comes from the studies of capacity and duration.
  • this clearly show that STM and LTM are separate and independent memory stores, as claimed by the MSM.
• Evaluation- counterpoint

  = in everyday life we form memories related to all sorts of useful thing- people's faces, names, fact.

  • But many of the studies that support the MSM used none of these materials. Instead, they used digits, letters and words and consonant syllables that have no personal meaning.
  • this means that the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works in our everyday lives where we have to remember much more meaningful information.
• Evaluation- more than one STM store

  limitation= evidence of more than one STM store.

  • Shallice and Warrington studies a client they referred to as KF who had a clinical memory disorder called amnesia.
  • KF's STM for digits was very poor when read out loud to him. But recall was much better when he read the digits to himself.
  • further studies of KF showed there could even be another short-term store for non-verbal sounds.
  • suggests that the MSM is wrong in claiming that there is just one STM store processing different types of information.
• Evaluation- elaborative rehearsal

  limitation= prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM.

  • according to the MSM the more you rehearse something, the more likely it is to transfer to LTM.
  • Craik and Watkins found the type of rehearsal is more important than the amount. - elaborative rehearsal is needed for long-term storage.
  • occurs when you link the information to your existing knowledge, or you think about what it means.- information can be transferred to LTM without prolonged rehearsal.
  • suggests the MSM doesn't fully explain how long-term storage is achieved.