memory

input

process of receiving info through 5 senses

processing

operations we perform on sensory info in our brain

storage

retention of info in our memory

encoding

turning sensory info into a form that can be used

retrieval

recall of stored memories to our conscious 

MSM model structure

3 registers

	encoding	capacity	duration
sensory	5 senses	unlimited	2 seconds
STM	acoustically	5-9 items	15-30 seconds
LTM	semantically	infinite	lifetime

strengths of MSM

• lots of experiment to support 3 separate stores

• practical application for student revision

• inspired further research

weakness of MSM

• too simplistic

• overstates role of rehearsal 

reconstructive memory

refers to how memory is not an exact copy but is influenced by our schemas

omissions

when we leave out unfamiliar details

transformation

when details are changed to make them more rational and familiar

familiarisation

when we change out unfamiliar details to align with our schemas

rationalisation

when we add details to give more meaning

retrograde amnesia

when you don’t remember what happens before the injury but can make new LTM

anterograde amnesia

when you remember what happened before injury but unable to make new LTM

Peterson and Peterson: Aim+ procedure

• investigate the duration of STM when rehearsal is prevented

• 24 uni students volunteers

• lab experiment

• trigrams

• had to recall trigram after counting backwards in 3s or 4s for an interval of 3,6,9,12,15,18 secs 

Peterson &Peterson Results & Conclusion

• 3sec-80% recalled

• 6 secs- 50% recalled

• 18secs - less than 10%

• STM has duration of 18 secs when rehearsal is prevented

Peterson and Peterson GRAVES

• G-24 uni students -small sample size-same age

• R-lab experiment-replicable-no EVs

• A-helpful for revision

• V-artificial setting and task

• E-volunteers so consent given