Lesson 3-4 Multi Store Model of Memory Flashcards
The Multi-Store Model overview (not explanation of processes)
first described by and what they argue, what it can be described as
- first described by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)
- they argue that our memory involves a flow of information through a series of stages in a linear fixed sequence
- 3 unitary stores, each with their own capacity, coding and duration (sensory register, STM, LTM)
- the MSM can be described as an information processing model
How can the MSM be explained including capacity, coding and duration of SR, STM and LTM
- info detected by from the environment by sense organs and enters the sensory register (SR)
- SR coding varies due to intake of info from all senses, but capacity is unlimited
- duration of SR is very short- around 250 milliseconds
- if attention is payed to info in SR, it enters STM
- STM has capacity of 5-9 items
- coding of STM is acoustic
- duration of 18-30 seconds
- rehearsal transfers STM info to LTM
- LTM has unlimited capacity as is a permanent memory store
- coding is mainly semantic
- info can be used from LTM to STM by retrieval
Evidence for the sensory register (experiment + 2 evaluation points)
- sperling (1960)
- lab experiment, pps shown three rows of four letters for 50ms then had to immediately recall either the whole grid or a random row
- when pps asked to recall a particular row, pps could recall an average of 3 out of 4 items
- pps didn’t know what row would be selected but still managed to get 3 out of 4 items suggesting that almost the whole grid was held in their SR showing that the capacity is large but duration is very short
- highly scientific as it was a lab experiment and variables were controlled so easier replication
- artificial setting -> lacks ecological validity -> people don’t usually recall letters
Strengths of the multi-store model for memory
- can explain primacy and recency effects
research evidence for this from Murdoch’s study, when pps given lists of 10-40 words to learn and asked to freely recall- murdoch found the serial position effect i.e. ppl tended to remember words based on their list position, and the middle of the list was often forgotten - case studies support the idea that STM and LTM are separate stores
H.M was a patient studied by Scoville and Milner (1957) who had brain damage caused by an operation to remove the hippocampus from both sides of his brain in order to reduce his epilepsy- post op, HM’s personality and intellect remained same and could still recall a list of 6 numbers in order. Therefore STM was intact but he couldn’t form new long term memories indicating LTM was damaged and they are separate stores. - brain scanning techniques have also supported that LTM and STM and separate stores
Beardsley (1977) used brain scanning techniques and found different parts of brain are active during STM and LTM tasks e.g. prefrontal cortex active during STM tasks but not LTM
Weaknesses of the multi store model
Saying all information needs to be rehearsed to move to LTM is an oversimplification as MSM does not explain flashbulb memories i.e. doesn’t explain how we remember more relevant info that isn’t rehearsed
MSM is oversimplified as research shows there isn’t just one type of STM and LTM but there are several eg. STM has one for verbal information (phonological loop) and one for non verbal (visuo-spatial sketchpad). Research also shows us that there are several types of LTM e.g. episodic memory for life events, semantic memory for knowledge and facts, and procedural memory for motor skills
Baddeley and hitch claimed MSM cant explain the ability to multitask; if only one type of STM, then multi-tasking isn’t possible, however people multi task all the time
Five separate sensory stores proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (IGHEO)
Iconic store- visual images held
Gustatory store- taste
Haptic store- physical senses of touch and internal muscle tensions
Echoic store- auditory sene
Olfactory store-smell
