Models of Memory Overview

Models of Memory Overview

1. Stages of Memory

   • Input
     • Information enters the memory process using all 5 senses
   • Encoding
     • The way information is represented in the memory store. E.G. by sound, meaning or image
   • Storage
     • Holding information in memory until it is needed
   • Retrieval
     • Locating information in memory ad recovering it from/getting it out when needed
   • Output
     • Memories

2. Multi-store Model of Memory

   • Sensory Memory
     • Encoding
       • Multi-modle (through senses)
     • Capacity
       • Very large
     • Duration
       • Mili-seconds
   • Short-term Memory
     • Encoding
       • Acoustic
     • Capacity
       • 7 (+- 2 items)
     • Duration
       • 18-20 seconds
   • Long-term Memory
     • Encoding
       • Semantic
     • Capacity
       • Unlimited
     • Duration
       • Lifetime

3. Evaluation of the Multi-store Model of Memory

   • Positives
     • Serial Position Effect
       • Technique used to investigate STM and LTM. Participants study long lists of words and are asked to recall as many as possible in any order
       • Researchers found that words at the end of the list are recalled because they are circulating in the STM
       • Researchers found that words at the start of the list had been rehearsed so it had passed into the LTM
       • Researchers found that words in the middle of the list didn't have enough time to be rehearsed and so decayed
     • Case Studies - KF
       • KF was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused brain damage
       • He was left unable to process new STM's, however he could retrieve his LTM's
       • This supports the MSM as it shows there is different parts to memory
   • Negatives
     • The model is over-simplified and fails to take into account the complexity of human memory and the brain
     • The MSM fails to take into account the enjoyment of a task and how that effects memory
       • If you enjoy the task you will remember something quicker and more of it
     • Rehearsal is the only way to remember information according to the MSM
       • Something traumatic however can create an emotional memroy leaving an imprint on the brain

4. Working Memory Model

   • Central Executive
     • Directs attention to particular tasks
     • It controls the other systems (slaves) by determining how resources will be allocated
     • Drives the system
   • Episodic Buffer
     • A general store that was added later to the model to account for things that use both visual and acoustic information at the same time
       • E.G. When watching the television
     • It integrates information from the central executive, phonological loop, and the visuo-spatial sketchpad
   • Visuo-spatial Sketchpad
     • Process visual and spatial information
     • Holds visual information for a very short time
     • E.G. Used when planning a spatial task
   • Phonological Loop
     • Controls auditory information

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