Multi-Store Model

• What is the multi-store model of memory proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968?


  It is an architectural model stating that sensory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM) are separate unitary stores.
• How does information flow through the multi-store model?

  Information flows from sensory memory to short-term memory and then to long-term memory.
• What are the key components of the multi-store model of memory?

  • Sensory Memory
  • Short-Term Memory (STM)
  • Long-Term Memory (LTM)
• What is the first part of the multi-store model?

  The first part is sensory memory.
• How does information enter the sensory store?

  Information enters the sensory store via the five senses.
• What happens to most environmental stimuli in sensory memory?

  Most environmental stimuli are lost through decay if not attended to.
• What occurs when a stimulus is attended to in sensory memory?

  It enters short-term memory (STM).
• What is maintenance rehearsal in the context of STM?

  Maintenance rehearsal is a process that can increase the length of time information is held in STM.
• What happens if elaborative rehearsal occurs?

  If elaborative rehearsal occurs, the information will go into long-term memory (LTM).
• What are the reasons information can be forgotten in memory?

  Information can be forgotten due to decay or proactive interference during rehearsal.
• How do STM and LTM differ in terms of information processing?

  They differ in how information is encoded, processed, and retrieved.
• What are the features of sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory?

  • Sensory Memory:
  • Coding: Modality specific
  • Capacity: Unlimited
  • Duration: Less than 0.5 seconds
  • Short-Term Memory (STM):
  • Coding: Acoustic
  • Capacity: 7±2 items
  • Duration: 18-30 seconds
  • Long-Term Memory (LTM):
  • Coding: Semantic
  • Capacity: Unlimited
  • Duration: Potentially forever
• What was the aim of Sperling's study on sensory memory?

  To investigate the duration and capacity of the sensory register for visual information.
• What procedure did participants undergo in Sperling's study?

  Participants were shown a grid of 12 symbols for one twentieth of a second and then asked to recall specific lines based on a tone.
• What were the findings regarding the capacity of sensory memory in Sperling's study?

  The capacity was on average 3 out of 4 symbols, suggesting the iconic store can retain 76% of all information.
• What did Sperling conclude about the duration of sensory memory?

  Sperling concluded that participants had a complete iconic memory of the 12 letters that disappeared in less than a second.
• What was the aim of Baddeley's study on long-term memory?

  To investigate how the LTM encodes information.
• What procedure did participants undergo in Baddeley's study?

  Participants were presented with words and then asked to recall them in the correct order after a 20-minute delay.
• What does Baddeley's research suggest about the coding of long-term memory?

  It suggests that long-term memory primarily encodes information semantically.
• What is a limitation of the research into the duration of the Short-Term Memory (STM)?

  The research lacks ecological validity due to the artificial setting of a lab experiment.
• Why is it difficult to generalize the results of the STM duration study?

  Because the artificial setting of the study may not reflect real-life situations.
• What is a strength of the research into the capacity of Long-Term Memory (LTM)?

  It has high control over extraneous variables.
• How does the lab setting of the LTM capacity research affect its internal validity?

  It increases the internal validity by allowing for the establishment of cause and effect between the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
• What is a limitation of the research into coding in the LTM?

  Sample bias due to the use of students as participants makes it difficult to generalize findings.
• How does sample bias affect the external validity of the LTM coding research?

  It decreases external validity because findings may not apply to individuals outside the student population.
• What is a strength of the research into the LTM coding?

  It is praised for having high reliability due to standardized instructions and control.
• Why does high reliability in LTM coding research strengthen its credibility?

  Because it allows the research to be repeated in different conditions to produce consistent results.
• What does the research by Bahrick on the duration of LTM involve?

  • Participants: High school graduates
  • Task: Match names to faces
  • Findings:
  • 60% recalled accurately after 47 years
  • Less than 20% recalled accurately after 4 years
• What does the Bahrick study suggest about the duration of certain types of memories?

  It suggests that certain types of memories can last a long time, as shown by the high recall rate after 47 years.
• What was the recall rate for participants after 4 years in the Bahrick study?

  Less than 20% recalled accurately.
• What does the Bahrick study imply about the reliability of memory over time?

  It implies that memory can be reliable over long periods, but accuracy decreases significantly over shorter durations.