Multi-Store Memory Model

Question 1

What are the parts of the MSM Model?

Answer 1

Sensory Information -(attention)->
Sensory register ->
Short Term Memory (rehearsal loop) -(consolidation)->
Long Term Memory

Question 2

What is the Coding, Capacity and Duration of the Sensory Register

Answer 2

Raw/unprocessed info from the 5 senses
Very large
250 ms

Question 3

What is the Coding, Capacity and Duration of the STM?

Answer 3

Acoustic/Visual
7 +- 2
- Jacobs (1887) & Miller (1956)
30 Seconds
- Peterson & Peterson (1959)

Question 4

What is the Coding, Capacity and Duration of the LTM?

Answer 4

Semantic
- Baddeley (1966)
Unlimited
Infinite

Question 5

Strengths of the MSM Model

Answer 5

Supporting research
- Supports the idea of distinct STM and LTM systems
- Brain-damaged case study patient KF’s STM was impaired following a motorcycle accident but his LTM remained intact

Memories in the LTM are coded semantically
- Makes sense
- e.g. you may remember the theme/general message of a speech rather than every word heard
HOWEVER sometimes it doesn’t make sense
- e.g. learning to ride a bike through its meaning

Question 6

Limitations of the MSM Model

Answer 6

Was pioneering model of memory
- Inspired other research and other models
- Such as the Working Memory Model

Low ecological validity in research
- In STM duration, the stimuli the participants were asked to remember bear little resemblance to items learned in daily life
- Peterson & Peterson (1959) used trigrams such as ‘QXF’

Over-simplified
- Evidence suggests there are multiple long and short term memory stores
- e.g. LTM can be split into episodic, procedural AND semantic memory
- Creates limitations in application

Assumptions with LTM
- Cannot test the full extent of capacity of LTM
Research has been unable to measure this accurately