Multi-Store Model of Memory

Describe the Multi-Store Model

stimuli into

• sensory register (forget)

attention into

• short term memory (maintenance rehearsal or forget)

prolonged rehearsal into

• long term memory (forget)

retrieval into STM

What is the Coding of the Sensory Register

modality specific - depends on sense involved

eyes - visual - iconic memory

ears - acoustic - echoic memory

What is the Capacity of the Sensory Register

high

What is the Duration of the Sensory Register

less than half a second

What is the Capacity of STM

5-9 items

What is the Coding of STM

acoustic

What is the Duration of STM

less than 30 seconds

What is the Capacity of LTM

unlimited

What is the Coding of LTM

semantic

What is the Duration of LTM

lifetime

Research Support strength of MSM

• Baddeley found immediate recall struggled acoustically similar results

• recall after 20 minutes struggled with semantic

• 2 separate stores (MSM) and coding

• accurate representation of memory

• BUT artificial task

Neuroimaging Support strength of MSM

• prefrontal cortex is active during STM tasks

• hippocampus associated with LTM

• shows physical evidence of separate stores

• BUT hippocampus also active in STM tasks

Studies Support strength of MSM

• list of words remember first and last few (serial position effect)

• supports because 2 separate stores

• recency effect and rehearsed into LTM

• range of research support so MSM effective explanation

Contradictory Research criticism of MSM

• motorbike accident KF affected audio learning not visual

• against MSM with only one process in STM

• limited explanation

• BUT KF case study unique to individual and may be different before accident

• difficult to generalise