The Multi-Store Model of Memory

Multi-Store Model

What is the multi-store model of memory?

MSM was proposed by Atkinson and Shriffin in 1968. Describes a system for how memories are made and stored

Capacity

A measure of how much information can be held in the memory. Represented in terms of bits of information, such as the digits of numbers

Duration

A measure of how long information can be stored for, before it is no longer available

Coding

The way information is changed so that it can be stored in your memory. Information enters the brain via sense. Stored in various forms (pictures), acoustic codes (sound) or semantic codes (meaning of experience)

Sensory register

Where all sensory information from the environment is held. 5 senses that our body detects - sight, sounds, smell, taste, touch. There are stores within the brain for each sense

Sensory register - coding

Dépendis on the sense involved, modality specific (something that applies to one sense)

Sensory register - capacity

Very high capacity, constantly receiving information

Sensory register - duration

Only holds sensory information for milliseconds. Since the brain can’t retain all of the data that is received from the SR

Attention

Connects the SR to the STM and if attention is paid to the information, it is passed to the STM

Short term memory

Information held in the STM is used for present and immediate tasks

Short term memory - coding

The information entering the STM is normally acoustic (sound)

Short term memory - capacity

The capacity is limited, only a certain number of items can be remembered

Short term memory - duration

Has a limited duration around 18 seconds unless rehearsed. Temporary memory store

Rehearsal

Information to be passed from the STM to LTM

Maintenance rehearsal

A surface-level repetition of the information

Elaborative rehearsal

Involves deeper processing

Long term memory

A permanent memory store of past events. To recall information passed into LTM it must be accessed and transferred to STM, known as retrieval

Long term memory - coding

Information is coded semantically

Long term memory - capacity

Unlimited

Long term memory - duration

Thought to be for the lifetime of each individual and items in LTM may be prone to forgetting. Research using brain scanning techniques includes that LTM and STM are stored in different brain regions