Evaluation of MSM

Strength

P - Supported by studies the STM and LTM are different. E - Baddeley found out that we mix up acoustically similar words when using STM and mix up semantically similar words when using LTM. Further support form studies of capacity and duration. L - Clearly show that LTM and STM are separate memory stores

Counterpoint of the strength

In everyday life, we use our memory for useful tasks and meaningful info. Many of the studies supporting STM don’t use useful tasks. They use digits, letters, words or trigrams. Means that the MSM may not be a valid model of how merry works in every day life

First limitation of the MSM

P - Prolonged rehearsal isn’t needed for the transfer to LTM. E - The MSM says the amount of rehearsal matters = maintenance rehearsal. Craik and Watkins found that the type of rehearsal is important, elaborative rehearsal is need fo LT storage. Occurs when you link the info to your existing knowledge, means that info can be transferred to LTM without prolonged maintenance rehearsal. L - Suggests that the MSM does not fully explain how LT storage is achieved

Second limitation of MSM

P - States that STM is a unitary store but there is more evidence of more than one STM store. E - Shallice and Wallington studied a patient with amnesia called KF. Found out that his STM for digits was very poor when read out loud but his recall was better when reading the digits. Further studies suggested that there could be another STM store for non-verbal sounds. L - Suggests that the MSM has another STM store