Multi-store memory model

Multi-store memory model

1. Evaluation

   • Limitations
     • Too simple, LTM and STM aren't just unitary stores
     • LTM involves elaborative rather than just maintainance rehersal. Do more compex things with the info rather than just memorising it
       • Tulving et al - gave ppts a list of nouns and asked a question that involved 'shallow processing' (whether word is in capital letters) or 'deep processing' (asked whether a word fitted into a sentence). More words remembered with shallow but deep processing creates LTM
   • Strengths
     • STM & LTM difference supported by:
       • Lab studies
         • Jacobs
         • Peterson
         • Miller
         • Bahrick
         • Baddeley
       • Brain Scans
         • Beardsley linked STM to prefrontal cortex. Not linked to LTM tasks
         • Squire et al linked LTM to hippocampus when engaged
       • Case studies
         • HM linked formation of new LTM to Hippocampus (Scoville and Milner)

2. The multistore model of memory was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin and is a structural model. They proposed that memory consisted of three stores:

   • Sensory register
     • Attention transfers information from sensory to STM
     • Place where info is held - tongue, eyes, nose, ears, fingers etc..
     • Duration: ¼ - ½ second
     • Encoding: Sense specific (e.g. different stores for each sense)
     • Capacity: All sensory experience (v. larger capacity)
   • Short term memory
     • Maintenance rehearsal creates LTM
     • Memory of present or immediate past events, i.e. trying to remember the drinks order at the bar.
     • Duration: 0-18 seconds. Very short as its in a fragile state
     • Encoding: mainly acoustic
     • Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items / chunks (Millers magic number)
   • Long term memory
     • Retrieval from LTM goes into STM
     • Remembering events from the distant past, i.e. childhood memories
     • Capacity and duration = potentially unlimited
     • Encoding: Mainly Semantic (but can be visual and acoustic)
     • Forgetting = lack of accessibility