MSM (multi-store model of memory) - Atkinson and Shiffron Flashcards
(9 cards)
explain the MSM and who theorised it
Atkinson and Shiffron (1968)
stimuli
sensory memory
short term memory - maintenance rehearsal keeps information in your STM
long term memory - elaborate rehearsal transfers information from STM to LTM
reductionist view
linear model
what is sensory memory
encoded through senses
capacity of 4 / unlimited
duration of up to 2 seconds
what is short term memory
coding is acoustic
capacity is 5-9 items
duration is 15-30 seconds
what is long term memory
coding is semantic
capacity is unlimited
duration is unlimited
strengths and weaknesses of MSM
strengths
stimulated further research on how memory works
supporting evidence e.g. millers magic number
clinical evidence e.g. clive wearing
weaknesses
lack of ecological validity
unlikely that memory is passive linear or that rehearsal is key
inconsistancy in brain damage patients ( new LTM can be added although STM is damaged )
MSM Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)
participants best remembered words from the start and the end of the list
‘serial position effect’
first words are rehearsed and transferred into LTM, last words are in STM when participant begins recall
Millers magic number - Miller (1956)
investigated the number of items a person can hold in their STM
you can only hold up to 7+- items at once
MSM brain scans / brain damaged patients
FMRI scans show which parts of the brain are used during different tasks
making a decision - the prefrontal lobes are active when using STM
remembering new information - hippocampus active and requires LTM
backs up the existence of different stores for different memories
anterograde amnesia
often caused by damage to the hippocampus
incapable of transferring information from STM to LTM
Clive Wearing
STM has normal capacity but can’t transfer to LTM
LTM from before remains
shows there are 2 stores
