M : Multi-store model of memory Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is the muti-store model of memory?
An explanation of memory based on three separate memory stores, and how information is transferred between these stores.
What is sensory register?
The information at the senses - collected by eyes, ears, nose, fingers etc.
Who first described the MSM?
Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968.
Draw the multi-store model of memory:
What is the capacity of the sensory register?
Very large.
They are constantly recieving information.
What is the duration of the sensory register?
Milliseconds - very brief.
Most information recieved is given no attention.
What is attention?
The first step in remembering something.
What happens if a persons attention is focused on one of the sensory stores?
The data is transferred to short-term memory (STM).
Why is information held in the short-term memory?
So it can be used for immediate tasks.
What will happen to STM if it is not rehearsed?
It will decay relatively quickly.
What will happen to information in the STM if new information enters it?
Old information will disappear, as it is pushed out by new information.
This is because the STM has limited capacity.
What is maintenance rehearsal?
Repeating things from the STM over and over again in order to remember them.
What keeps information within the STM?
Maintenance rehearsal
Repetition in the STM will eventually lead to what?
Creation of long-term memory.
What did Atkinson and Shiffrin propose about rehearsal in STM and the strength of LTM?
They proposed there was a direct relationship between rehearsal in STM and the strength of LTM.
The more the information is rehearsed, the better it is remembered - maintenance rehearsal.
Describe the capacity and duration of LTM:
LTM is potentially unlimited in both duration and capacity.
What is retrieval?
The process of getting information from LTM, which involves the information passing back through STM.
What are the discussion points the multi-store model of memory?
- Supporting research.
- Supporting case studies.
- Multi-store model is too simple.
- The MSM has been criticised for its emphasis on maintenance rehearsal.
- MSM suggests that STM is involved before LTM - this claim has been questionned by other researchers.
MSM.
Explain the discussion point about supporting evidence:
P - Controlled lab studies on capacity, duration and coding support the existence of a separate short- adn long-term store.
E - Brain scanning techniques have also demonstrated that there is a difference between STM and LTM.
E - Beardsley (1997) found that the prefrontal cortex is active during STM but not LTM. Squire et al (1992) also used brain scanning and found the hippocampus is active when LTM is engaged.
L - Provides strong support for the MSM.
MSM:
Explain the discussion point about case studies.
P - Psychologists have also shown that different areas of the brain are involved in STM and LTM from their study of individuals with brain damage.
E - Scoville & Milner, 1957 studied man referred to as HM - brain damage caused by an operation that removed his hippocampus. His personality and intellect remained intact but he could not form new LTMs.
E - This provides support for the MSM’s notion of separate stores, showing the internal validity of the theory?
