Memory models

Memory models

1. The Multi-store model

   • Evidence to support 3 separate memory stores
     • The sensory store
     • The serial position effect
     • Areas of the brain associated with STM and LTM
   • Strengths
     • Strong evidence of seperate stores
     • Provides an account of memory in terms or structure and process
     • Has clear predictions for memory
   • Weaknesses
     • STM and LTM are not unitary stores
     • Rehearsal Vs Processing
     • STM actually relies on LTM

2. The Working Memory model

   • Evidence supporting this model
     • Evidence for the four components
     • Doing two tasks using the same or different components
     • Evidence from brain damaged patients
   • Components
     • Central Executive
       • Direct attention to particular tasks
       • Determines how 'resources' are allocated to tasks
       • Data arrives from LTM or SM
       • Limited capacity
     • Phonological Loop
       • Deals with auditory information and preserves the order
       • Phonological Store
         • Holds words we hear
       • Articulatory Process
         • Used for words heard or seen
       • Limited capacity
     • Visuo-spatial Sketchpad
       • Used when you have to plan a spatial task
       • Visual information is temporarily stored here
     • Episiodic Buffer
       • Extra storage system
       • Integrates memory from other stores
       • Limited capacity
   • Strengths
     • Explains observations made by psychologists
     • Lots of evidence to support this
     • Different kinds of memory
   • Weaknesses
     • Central executive too vague
     • Some of the key evidence is not comparible before and after

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