Describe and Evaluate the Multi Store Model of Memory

The multi store model of memory was developed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), it is proposed that memory was not a single process but involved more than one stage and more than one kind of memory, the different stages of memory operate together. These stages include sensory memory, Short term memory and long term memory, Information is said to pass through each stage in a fixed sequence. There are limitations of capacity and duration at each separate stage. The first stage of the model is the sensory memory, which the information received is usually visual or auditory. In the sensory memory there is a limited ability to store information. This information will either decay or pass on to the short term memory if it is paid attention to. Short term memory contains a considerably small amount of information that is in active use. The encoding that takes place here is mainly visual and acoustic. If information is not rehearsed and therefore may not be recalled, it will have been displaced from the short term memory. If information is rehearsed if will then be passed onto the long term memory store, where it may remain for as long as a lifetime. According to this model of memory, long term memory has a potentially immeasurable capacity and duration. The type of encoding is semantic, loss of information is possible form this store through decay or interference.
Many of the features of the three components are supported by research. For example, Conrad (1964) supports the idea of acoustic encoding. Peterson and Peterson (1959) support the idea of a limited duration in STM, whilst Bahrick et al (1975) support the relative permanency of LTM. Conrad used strings of letter to investigate STM, there were presented quickly on a screen the results were very interesting. Conrad said that it was the sound of the letters that mattered in encoding in the STM. Even though presented on a screen, the visual information must have changed into acoustic. Peterson and Peterson used