Multi-Store Model of memory (MSM)

In 1968 Atkinson & Shiffrin modelled a representation of human memory, describing it in terms of ‘stores’ and ‘loops’.

It is known as the multi-store model because it consists of 3 memory stores, linked to each other by the processes that transfer information from one store to another.

You need to memorise the diagram above

Sensory register - store 1

  • Acts as a filter

  • Information will only be transferred to our short term memory (STM) if attention is paid to it

Short term memory (STM) - store 2

  • Where we are consciously aware of the information (but this is only a temporary store)

  • Information will only last 18-30 seconds and only 7 ± 2 items can be held here at any time

  • Information must be attended to in the rehearsal loop if it is to avoid decay (the memory fading on its own) or displacement (being replaced by new information)

  • Otherwise (without decay or displacement) it can be transferred to our long term memory (LTM) for permanent storage

  • Information will need to be retrieved back to our short term store if it is to be used again

Long term memory (LTM) - store 3

  • All the information we have about anything

  • Infinite capacity

  • Infinite duration (technically, we can store a memory forever so long as there are cues to help us retrieve it)