multi-store model of memory

multi-store model of memory

1. Atkinson and Shiffrin 1968/71 described how MSM lets information flow though the memory system

2. sensory register

   • stimulus from the environment passes into the sensory register
   • has a store for 5 senses
   • iconic store codes visual information visually
   • echoic stores codes sound acoustically
   • short duration
   • high capacity

3. short term memory

   • limited capacity
     • 5-9 items
   • coded acoustically
   • duration 18-30 seconds unless rehearsed
   • maintenance rehearsal - keeps information in STM and if rehearsed for long enough - LTM

4. long term memory

   • potentially permanent memory store for rehearsed information
   • capacity is unlimited
   • coded semantically
   • when information needs to be recalled it is transferred back to STM through retrieval

5. evaluation

   • supporting research evidence
     • Baddley suggested we mix up words that sound similar with STM and words with similar meaning with LTM. this shows that coding is acoustic in STM and semantic in and the two stores being separate and also supports studies of coding, capacity and duration
   • more than one type of STM
     • evidence from people suffering from amnesia show there is more than one store. shallice and Warrington 1970 found KF had poor STM for digits read to him but recall improved when he read them himself. other studies suggested there is a store for non b=verbal sounds. this is a limitation as there is evidence to suggest there is a store to process visual information and another for auditory information
   • more than one type of rehearsal
     • craik and Watkins 1973 suggested the type of rehearsal matters as maintenance rehearsal doesn't transfer it to LTM but maintains it in STM. elaborative rehearsal is needed for long term storage where information is linked to existing knowledge/ think about what it means this is a limitation as research findings cant be explained by the model