Multi-Store Model of Memory

• Multi-store model


  Explanation of memory that sees information flowing through a series of storage systems.

  
• Sensory Register


  A memory system that momentarily preserves extremely accurate images of sensory information.

  
• Iconic memory


  A momentary sensory memory of visual stimuli; a photographic or picture-image memory lasting no more than a few tenths of a second.
• Echoic memory


  A momentary sensory memory of auditory stimuli; if attention is elsewhere, sounds and words can still be recalled within 3 or 4 seconds.
• Coding of sensory register

  Modality specific
• Duration of sensory register

  Less than half a second
• Capacity of sensory register

  Very large
• Short-term memory


  Activated memory that holds a few items briefly, such as the seven digits of a phone number while dialling, before the information is stored or forgotten
• Coding in STM


  Mainly Acoustic
• Duration of STM


  18-30 seconds
• Capacity of STM


  7 +/- 2
• Maintenance rehearsal


  A system for remembering involving repeating information to oneself without attempting to find meaning in it.
• Long-term memory


  - The relatively permanent and limitless storehouse of the memory system.

  - Includes knowledge, skills, and experiences.
• Coding in LTM


  Mainly semantic
• Duration of LTM


  Very long time - Lifetime?
• Capacity of LTM


  Potentially unlimited
• Retrieval


  The process of getting information out of memory storage
• Strengths of the multi-store model

  Research support

  - 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 out LTMs.

  - Supports the idea that STM and LTM are separate.
• Limitations of the multi-store model

  More than one STM store

  - Case study (KF) had amnesia.

  - KF's STM for digits was very poor when read out to him.

  - But his recall was much better when he read the digits himself.

  
  

  Elaborative Rehearsal

  - Elaborative rehearsal is needed for long-term storage.

  - Therefore, a limited explanation.