Outline and Evalute the Multi-Store Model of Memory
Describe and Evaluate the Multi-Store Model of Memory (12 Marks)
The Multi-Store Model explains how memory works through three stages in a fixed, linear sequence. Information is first detected from environmental stimuli and stored in the sensory memory as haptic, echoic or visual information.
Only certain information can only be paid attention to, as the capacity and duration of the sensory memory is very limited. This information is then passed onto the STM.
Only 7 + - 2 items can only be stored in the STM as its capacity is limited. The duration of the short-term memory is also limited, so information can only be held in the STM for up to 18 seconds.
The main type of encoding for the STM is echoic and information can be transferred to the LTM through rehearsal.
In the LTM, information is encoded by meaning (semantically). Both the capacity and duration of the LTM are unlimited so large amounts of items can be stored in the LTM for long periods of time.
To remember information stored in the LTM, retrieval strategies are used by the STM so information is transferred back to the short-term memory for usage.
+ A study that supports the MSM is Sperling (1960). He investigated the existence of the sensory memory. He found that the image if an item faded during brief exposure to letters, thus only five letters could only be recalled by participants. Therefore, this supports the MSM and the existence of the sensory memory as it shows that the duration and capacity of the store is very limited.
+ Another study that supports the MSM is Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) – The primacy and recency effect. The study shows that the first few words are easier to recall as they were rehearsed in the STM and stored in the LTM. It also showed that the last few words were recalled as they stayed in the STM. This supports the MSM as it shows that information can be stored for a limited time in the STM and that if information is rehearsed it passes through to the LTM.
+ In addition,
The Multi-Store Model explains how memory works through three stages in a fixed, linear sequence. Information is first detected from environmental stimuli and stored in the sensory memory as haptic, echoic or visual information.
Only certain information can only be paid attention to, as the capacity and duration of the sensory memory is very limited. This information is then passed onto the STM.
Only 7 + - 2 items can only be stored in the STM as its capacity is limited. The duration of the short-term memory is also limited, so information can only be held in the STM for up to 18 seconds.
The main type of encoding for the STM is echoic and information can be transferred to the LTM through rehearsal.
In the LTM, information is encoded by meaning (semantically). Both the capacity and duration of the LTM are unlimited so large amounts of items can be stored in the LTM for long periods of time.
To remember information stored in the LTM, retrieval strategies are used by the STM so information is transferred back to the short-term memory for usage.
+ A study that supports the MSM is Sperling (1960). He investigated the existence of the sensory memory. He found that the image if an item faded during brief exposure to letters, thus only five letters could only be recalled by participants. Therefore, this supports the MSM and the existence of the sensory memory as it shows that the duration and capacity of the store is very limited.
+ Another study that supports the MSM is Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) – The primacy and recency effect. The study shows that the first few words are easier to recall as they were rehearsed in the STM and stored in the LTM. It also showed that the last few words were recalled as they stayed in the STM. This supports the MSM as it shows that information can be stored for a limited time in the STM and that if information is rehearsed it passes through to the LTM.
+ In addition,