RZ

Atkinson-Shiffrin Multi-Store Model of Memory

5.2 Atkinson-Shiffrin Multi-Store Model of Memory

Overview

  • The Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model explains encoding, storage, and retrieval of information in sensory, short-term, and long-term memory stores.

Key Components

  • Function: Purpose and roles of each memory store.

  • Capacity: The amount of information each store can hold.

  • Duration: The length of time each store can hold information.

Memory Stores

  • Memory consists of three separate stores:

    • Sensory memory

    • Short-term memory

    • Long-term memory

  • These stores differ in function, capacity, and duration.

Processes of Memory

  • Encoding: Converting raw information from stimuli into a usable form.

  • Storage: Retaining encoded information for future access.

  • Retrieval: Accessing previously stored information.

Sensory Memory

  • Entry point for new, incoming sensory information.

  • Information is stored in its original, raw state for a brief time.

  • Types:

    • Iconic memory: Temporarily stores visual information.

    • Echoic memory: Temporarily stores auditory information.

Function

  • Retains information detected by the senses in its raw sensory form.

  • Information can be from the external or internal environment.

Capacity

  • Unlimited

Duration

  • Iconic memory: lasts for about 0.2 to 0.4 seconds.

  • Echoic memory: stored for about 3 to 4 seconds.

Short-Term Memory (STM)

  • Also known as working memory.

  • A memory system with limited storage capacity.

  • Information is stored for a relatively short time unless renewed.

Function

  • Actively manipulates information received from sensory memory or long-term memory.

  • Information is then encoded and moved to long-term memory or lost if not transferred.

Capacity

  • 7 ± 2 items (or 5 to 9 items) can be held.

Duration

  • Recall starts to decline and by about 18 seconds.

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

  • A memory store that holds a potentially unlimited amount of information for a very long time, possibly permanently.

Types of Long-Term Memory

  • Explicit Memory (Memory with awareness):

    • Episodic memory (personal experiences)

    • Semantic memory (facts and knowledge)

  • Implicit Memory (Memory without awareness):

    • Procedural memory (skills for doing things)

    • Classically conditioned memory (conditioned responses to conditioned stimuli)

Function

  • Stores information that can be retrieved for future use.

  • Information is organized in different parts of the brain and processed into different types of long-term memories.

  • Forms neural connections with other pieces of information already stored.

Capacity

  • Potentially unlimited

Duration

  • Relatively permanent

Additional Resources

  • Jacaranda questions 5.2: LA 1, 2, 4, 6

  • Edrolo 5A Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory

Glossary

  • Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory

  • Function

  • Capacity

  • Duration

  • Encoding

  • Storage

  • Retrieval

  • Sensory memory

  • Iconic memory

  • Echoic memory

  • Short term memory

  • Long term memory

5.3

Explicit memory (E stands for effort) is long-term memory that can be consciously retrieved and stated

E.G. Remembering someone’s name, an address, a password, the colors of the Italian flag, where you went for a holiday, or when a person goes away for a day

Explicit is like an exam - you have to recall facts!

  • Episodic memory is personally experienced events associated with a particular time and place, e.g, First day of school, family holiday, what you ate for breakfast this morning

  • Semantic memory is facts and knowledge about the world, e.g, facts and knowledge of the kind learned in school, everyday facts, and general knowledge

Implicit memory (I stands for involuntary) is long-term memory that does not require conscious or intentional retrieval, e.g, motor skills such as brushing your teeth or riding a skateboard

Implicit is like instinct - you just do it!

  • Pricedural memory (procedure) is memory of skills that have been learned previously e.g, how to brush your teeth

  • Classically conditioned memory is an involuntary response to a stimulus that has been repeatedly associated with an emotionally arousing stimulus, e.g, experiencing anxiety at the sight of a spider or going to the dentist

Hippocampus (E)

encoding and consolidation of new long-term explicit memories, the amygdala signals to the hippocampus to strengthen the consolidation of a memory when it is significant

Amygdala (I)

Emotional reactions and the formation of a wide variety of emotional memories \

Neocortex (E)

Long-term explicit semantic and episodic memories, the neocortex covers two cerebral hemispheres, each of which has four lobes

Basal ganglia (I)

involved in voluntary movement e.g parkinsons disease

Cerebellum (I)

balance and coordination, Stores implicit memories of simple conditioned reflexes e.g activities that required a skilled sequence of movements