MSM

Who created the MSM

Richard Atkinson & Richard Shiffrin’s (1968, 1971)

What is the purpose of the MSM

It describes how information flows through the memory system

What does the MSM suggest

That memory is made up of 3 stores that are linked by processing

What are the 3 parts of the MSM

• Sensory Register

• STM

• LTM

What is the sensory register

Where all stimuli from the environment is passed into

What are the different sensory stores in the sensory register

• Echoic

• Iconic

• Other sensory stores

What is the duration and capacity of the sensory register

Duration: Very brief - less than half a second

Capacity: Very high

What is the only way information will pass further into the memory system

If you pay attention to it

What is maintenance rehearsal

When we repeat material to ourselves over and over which keeps information in the STM. If you repeat long enough it gets passed to the LTM

What is the duration of the LTM

Up to a lifetime

What is the capacity of the LTM

Unlimited

According to the MSM if we want to recall info from the LTM what process has to occur

Retrieval - where info is transferred back to the STM

What is a support evaluation point for the MSM

Studies that show the LTM and STM are different - like Baddeley’s. Show that the STM and LTM are clearly separate and independent memory stores as claimed by the MSM

What is a counterpoint to the previous evaluation point

In everyday life we form memories related to many useful things, however most of the studies that support the MSM did not use any useful or important information. Means MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works in everyday life

What is a limitation evaluation point for MSM

There is evidence of more than one STM store. Shallice and Warrington studied a client called “KF'‘ who had amnesia. His STM for digits was poor when read to him, but much better when he read the digits to himself. Further studies showed there could be another STM store for non-verbal sounds (noises). Suggests the MSM is wrong in claiming there is only 1 STM store

What is a limitation evaluation point for MSM

Prolonged rehearsal is not needed to transfer information to the LTM. Craik and Watkins found that the type of rehearsal is more important than the amount. Elaborative rehearsal is needed for long term storage. This is when you link the information to existing knowledge, or think about what it means. Suggests MSM doesn’t full explain LTM storage ia achieved