Memory - multi-store model

Question 1

what is the multi-store model of memory

Answer 1

Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968 1971)
- representation of how memory works in terms of memory stores
- how information flows through memory stores

Question 2

what is the sensory register

Answer 2

• senses pick up stimuli from environment and pass through
• small duration
• high capacity
• only passes to the memory store if given attention
• iconic memory - visual information coded visually
• echoic memory - acoustic information coded acoustically

Question 3

what is short-term memory

Answer 3

• information can disappear
• maintenance rehearsal - repeat information over and over again
• can be passed into long term memory

Question 4

what is long term memory

Answer 4

• to recall information back to long term memory retrieval is needed
  -permanent memory store

Question 5

what are the strengths of the multi-store model

Answer 5

Supporting evidence for separate stores
Squire et al (1992) - hippocampus is active for LTM
Beardsley (1997) - prefrontal cortex is active for STM

Scoville and Milner (1957)
- HM had hippocampus removed
- couldn’t form new LTMs but could remember prior to the surgery

Question 6

what are the limitations of the multi-store model

Answer 6

Shallice and Warrington (1970)
- KF’s STM was poor when digits were read to him
- good recall when read to himself
- there could be another STM store for non-verbal stores
- model is very simple