models of memory ERQ

memory

refers to the processes that are used to acquire, store, and retrieve information

memory processes/stages

encoding, storage, and retrieval

- after the perception of stimuli, the brain encodes information and then stores it to be retrieved and recalled at a later time

model

a visual representation of a concept or idea

explaining Multi-Store Memory Model by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)

explains the theory of memory with three main parts: sensory register, short-term memory, and long-term memory

sensory register: 5 senses pick up incoming info for just 1/4 second and its capacity is almost infinite. if paid attention to, information would then go to STM

STM: a capacity of holding info for 18-30 secs, and 7± items (Miller's Magic Number). if not rehearsed --> may be displaced & forgotten // rehearsed enough --> transferred to LTM

LTM: huge capacity & duration + encodes information semantically (through meaning) // items that are hard to retrieve & that become inaccessible --> decay & forgetting

maintenance rehearsal: repeating, 'drilling' info
elaborative rehearsal: deeper processing of info (ex. learning lines)

evaluating MSM

strengths
- significant research to support theory of memory stores (both in cognitive research & in biological case studies of patients w/brain damage)
- historical importance (provided basic info on how to talk abt memory)

limitations
- oversimplified
- does not explain memory distortion
- several times we rehearse info but does not get transferred to LTM

outlining Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

Aim: to investigate the process of STM and LTM
- free recall of a list of 15 items combined w/interference task (counting backwards) to show that there are 2 processes involved in retrieving info)

Participants: 46 males enlisted in US army

Procedure: researchers showed 15 lists of 15 words one at a time & had subjects recall under 1 of 3 conditions:
1. recall w/no delay
2. " w/10s delay
3. " w/30s delay

Results:
no delay - first 5 & last 3 words were recalled best
10s or 30s delay - little effect on first words but poor recall on later
**immediate groups showed the expected 'u' curve, meaning they could remember words in the beginning and end

Conclusion: the results support STM and LTM
/primacy effect/ - ability to recall words at start of the list bcz they had already transferred to LTM
/recency effect/ - ability to recall words that have just been spoken bcz they are still in STM

evaluating Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

strengths
- standardized procedures and instructions (lab exper.) --> reliable bcz can be replicated
- study supported MSM

limitations
- artificial environment (lab exper.) --> loss of ecological validity: may not collect accurate and realistic human data due to artificiality
- can't be generalized to males or female who don't fit the demographic

explaining Working Memory Model by Baddeley and Hitch (1974)

developed as an alternative model of short-term memory + argued that short-term memory is not a static store but rather a complex information processor

discusses four main parts of memory,
Central executive: directs the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad (aka slave systems) to carry out tasks and relay info to the LTM + also decides which info is attended to & which parts of the WM info should be sent

Phonological loop: the part of the WM that deals with spoken and written material, & there are 2 main parts - /articulatory control system/ converts words into a spoken code so they can enter the /phonological store/, which holds info in a speech-based form for 1-2 secs

Visuospatial sketchpad: deals w/visual appearances (ex. faces, landscapes, location in relation to other objects) --> allows ppl to picture things in their mind & recall is aided visually through the inner scribe, then the info is stored in the visual cache which may be linked to LTM

Episodic buffer: acts as a way of arranging information into easily understood sequences in the WM and LTM

evaluating WMM

strengths
- explains STM in a way which highlights the dynamic nature of this type of memory w/its focus on a range of ever-changing tasks and demands
- found support in research such as in dual-task studies

limitations
- role of the central-executive is vague and has been criticized as being psychologically inaccurate in terms of wherein the brain is located
- process by which memories are transferred to LTM is not fully explained

outlining Robbins et al (1996)

Aim: to investigate the role of working memory in chess moves

Participants: 20 male chess players were recruited from Cambridge City & Cambridge Uni Chess Clubs
- ranged from weak player to grand master
- divided into 2 groups: 12 weaker players & 8 stronger players
- 18 males were 30 yrs or less


Procedure: shown a chessboard of 16 b&w pieces, arranged as if mid game + given 10 secs to memorize placing & had to recreate on an empty board (given as much time needed)
- /articulatory loop suppression/ males had to repeat 'the' in time to a metronome whilst in 10-sec memorization phase
- /visuo-spatial sketchpad/: males had to press keys on a calculator in time to metronome whilst in 10-sec memorization phase

Results: participants in VS condition performed more poorly w/worse recall of chess positions than those in the AL condition

Conclusion: working memory for chess positions do appear to be affected by visual suppression as it creates an /"overload effect"/, preventing visual material from being recalled easily

evaluating Robbins et al (1996)

strengths
- well-controlled lab exper. w/standardized procedure --> highly reliable
- blocking of V-S did produce a diff. in conditions, supporting the idea of diff. slave systems w/in the WMM

limitations
- biased sample; difficult to generalize as small male group w/high IQs
- put pressure on participants affecting their ability to use WM in the way they would in normal circumstances

compare & contrast MSM & WMM

- MSM is a complete theory of memory, from sensory to LTM, while WMM is a theory just of the STM

-MSM views STM as a unitary store where material is retained through repetition & the focus is on capacity, encoding & duration, and material is processed mainly acoustically
- WMM shows STM as a processing area divided into 3: CE, PL, & V-S + EB later (in 200)

- MSM focuses on capacity, encoding and duration while WMM can also be used to explain processes (ex. thinking & problem solving)

conclusion

Both models are visual representations of theories of memory and offer insights of how memory works. The first model, being MSM, discusses how memory is kept in 3 stores: sensory register, STM, and LTM. The second model, being WMM, goes further in depth about STM and how it has a more complex information processor