Explain how one study supports the Working Memory Model.

Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM)

Proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), the MSM suggests that memory consists of three distinct stores—sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM)—through which information moves in a linear sequence. Forgetting occurs if rehearsal or encoding does not happen.

Sensory Memory

The initial stage of memory where sensory information is briefly held in its raw form. It is modality-specific (e.g., iconic for vision, echoic for hearing) and lasts only milliseconds to a few seconds. Information decays quickly unless attention transfers it to STM.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

A limited-capacity store (7 ± 2 items) that temporarily holds information for about 30 seconds. Rehearsal keeps information active, and if rehearsal is effective, information is encoded into long-term memory.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

A store with potentially unlimited capacity and duration, holding information for minutes to a lifetime. Information is encoded semantically (by meaning) and can be retrieved when needed.

Process of the Multi-Store Model

Information enters sensory memory, where attention moves it to STM. Through rehearsal, information can be encoded into LTM. Without rehearsal, information is lost from STM through decay or displacement.

Study Supporting the MSM — Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)

Investigated the serial position effect, showing how the position of words in a list affects recall. Participants recalled more words from the beginning (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of the list.

Immediate Recall Condition (Glanzer & Cunitz, 1966)

Participants recalled more words from the beginning (primacy) and end (recency) of the list, suggesting both STM and LTM were used.

Delayed Recall Condition (Glanzer & Cunitz, 1966)

After a 30-second delay, the recency effect disappeared while the primacy effect remained. This suggests that recent words (STM) were lost, while earlier words (LTM) were retained through rehearsal.

Conclusion from Glanzer & Cunitz (1966)

The study supports the MSM by demonstrating two separate memory stores—STM and LTM—and showing that rehearsal transfers information from STM to LTM.

Main Strength of the MSM

It is supported by empirical research (e.g., Glanzer & Cunitz) showing distinct memory stores and mechanisms for encoding and retrieval.

Main Limitation of the MSM

It is overly simplistic—memory is not purely linear, and it doesn’t account for interactions between stores or different types of LTM (e.g., procedural vs. episodic).

Link to SAQ Question

The MSM explains how memory is structured into distinct stores, and Glanzer & Cunitz (1966) provides experimental evidence supporting the distinction between STM and LTM