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models of memory

1. multi store model -Atkinson and shiffrin

   • sensory input enters the sensory information store
     • info lost through decay if unattended
     • if attention is payed to it then it enters the STM
       • capacity- 5-9 items
       • duration- 30 seconds
       • maintenance rehearsal required for the info to stay In the STM
         • elaborative rehearsal required for info to move in to the LTM
           • LTM- unlimited capacity and duration of up to a life time
       • info lost by displacement or decay

2. strengths of MSM

   • evidence to support that there are seperate memory stores
     • murdochs serial position curve
       • characteristic pattern regardless of the length of words
       • some words recalled from the beginning of the list, least from the middle and most from the end
       • explanation- the words at the beginning and end of the list would be recalled due to the primary and recency effect
   • PET/MRI scans
     • different regions of the brain active when different memory tasks completed
       • prefrontal cortex active in tasks involving STM
       • hippocampus active during LTM tasks
       • Beardsley- STM and LTM are in different areas of the brain