Multi-Store Model of Memory

Multi-store model

A structural model of memory by Atkinson and Shiffrin dividing memory into sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory.

Sensory register

The first store in the MSM, holding sensory information for a very brief duration in a raw, unprocessed form.

Coding in sensory register

Information is coded by the sense that receives it, such as echoic (sound) or iconic (vision).

Capacity of sensory register

Virtually unlimited capacity for sensory information.

Duration of sensory register

Very short, typically less than half a second for visual input.

STM in MSM

The second store in the MSM where information is held temporarily and consciously processed.

Coding in STM

Mainly acoustic; information is stored by sound.

Capacity of STM

Limited capacity of around 7 plus or minus 2 items, according to Miller.

Chunking

Grouping items together to increase STM capacity by treating them as single units.

Duration of STM

Approximately 18 to 30 seconds without rehearsal.

Maintenance rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in STM and potentially transfer it to LTM.

Elaborative rehearsal

Rehearsal that involves making information meaningful, required for LTM transfer.

LTM in MSM

The permanent store for information rehearsed sufficiently, capable of lasting a lifetime.

Coding in LTM

Mainly semantic; information is stored by meaning.

Capacity of LTM

Potentially unlimited capacity for information.

Duration of LTM

Potentially a lifetime, depending on cues and retrieval strength.

Attention in MSM

The process which moves information from sensory register into STM.

Rehearsal loop

The process where information is cycled in STM through rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

Unitary stores (MSM)

The idea that STM and LTM are single, separate stores with distinct characteristics.

Serial position effect

A research finding that people remember items at the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of lists, supporting separate STM and LTM stores.

Primacy effect

Better recall of early items as they enter LTM through rehearsal.

Recency effect

Better recall of final items still in STM.

HM case study

Patient HM’s inability to form new LTM after hippocampus removal supports separate STM and LTM stores.

Limitation of MSM: oversimplified

MSM assumes STM and LTM are unitary stores but research shows they have multiple components.

Limitation of MSM: rehearsal is overstated

MSM claims rehearsal is needed for LTM transfer, but real-life memory forms without rehearsal.

Strength of MSM: supporting evidence

Studies on coding, capacity and duration support the distinction between STM and LTM.

Displacement in STM

New information pushes out old information when capacity is exceeded.

Encoding specificity principle

Information is easier to recall when the retrieval context matches the encoding context; interacts with MSM.