Memory

Memory

1. Working Memory Model

   • STM contains the central executive, visuo-spatial sketchpad and the phonological store (articulatory loop and the primary acoustic store)
     • CE controls all stores, VSS controls visuals and spatial awareness, AL stores recently heard speech and the PAS
   • Limitations
     • Doesn't explain LTM so it is not a comprehensive theory (MSM)
     • Doesn't explain why blind people have excellent spatial awareness
   • Strengths

2. Multi-Store Model

   • Strengths
   • Limitations
     • Seen as an over-simplified model
       • Working memory criticises it for not putting enough emphasis on STM
   • Memory is made up of 3 stores: Sensory, STM and LTM
     • Capacity: Sensory -- all sensory experience, STM -- 7+/- items (can be increased through chunking), LTM -- unlimited
     • Coding: Sensory -- sense specific, STM -- auditory, LTM -- semantically
     • Duration: Sensory -- 1/4 - 4 seconds, STM -- 17 - 30 seconds (can be increased through maintenance rehearsal), LTM -- unlimited

3. Long Term Memory

   • Episodic: specific events; Procedural: how to do stuff; Semantic: general facts
   • Case Study of Clive Wearing: after an accident that left him with brain damaged, he could only retain information for 30 seconds and could not recall events or general facts. However, he could remember how to play the piano (procedural)
     • Indicates that the LTM must be made up of different stores

4. Levels of Processing

   • Strengths
   • Limitations
     • No way of testing how deeply something has been processed