The multi-store model of memory Flashcards
Sensory register
The multi-store model of memory
All stimuli from environment pass into sensory register
Comprises sensory mem stores (one for each sense)
Coding in each is modality specific
Duration of material is < 1/2s
Very high capacity - over 1 mill cells in one eye each storing data
Info only pass further if you pay attention to it
Short-term memory
The multi-store model of memory
Info in STM coded acoustically & lasts for 18s unless rehearsed
STM is temp store
Limited-cap store - can only contain certain number of ‘things’ before forgetting occurs
Maintenance rehearsal occurs when we rehearse material
We can keep info in our STM as long as we rehearse
If we rehearse it long enough, it passes into LTM
Long-term memory
The multi-store model of memory
Potentially permenant memory store
Coded mostly semantically
Duration may be up to a life time (Bahrick et al)
Capacity is thought to be unlimited
When we want to recall info from LTM, it has to be transferred back to STM by retrieval
Evaluation: Research support
The multi-store model of memory
Strength: studies show that STM & LTM are different
Baddeley (1966) found we mix up words that sound similar when using our STM & mix up words w/ similar meaninsg when using our LTM
These studies clearly show that STM and LTM are seperate memory stores as claimed by MSM
Evaluation: Research support (counterpoint)
The multi-store model of memory
However, in everyday life we form memories related to all sorts of useful things (i.e. faces, names, places)
Many studies which support MSM don’t use these materials
They use digits, letters (Jacobs), words (Baddeley) & consonant syllables (Peterson x2)
Therefore, MSM may not be valid model of how memory works in everyday lives where we have to remember more meaningful info
Evaluation: More than one STM store
The multi-store model of memory
Limit: evidence of more than one STM store
Shallice & Warrington (1970) - KF has amnesia
KF’s STM for digits was poor when they were read aloud to him
His recall was much better when he read the digits to himself
Further studies of KF showed possible STM for non-verbal sounds
Therefore, MSM is wrong in claiming that there is just one STM store processing diff types of info
Evaluation: Elaborative rehearsal
The multi-store model of memory
Limit: prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer into LTM
Craik & Watkins (1973) found that type of rehearsal is more important than amount
Elaborative rehearsal is needed for LT storeage
Occurs when you link info to your existing knowledge
Means info can be transferred to LTM w/o prolonged rehearsal
Therefore, MSM doesn’t fully explain how LT storage is achieved
