The Multi-Store Model of Memory

Specification

The multi-store model of memory (Atkinson and Shiffrin, 1968), including information processing, encoding, storage, retrieval, capacity and duration.

Copy of PPT: The Multi-Store Model of Memory (Outline)

The Multi-Store Model of Memory

Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) developed the Multi-Store Model of memory (MSM), which describes flow between three permanent storage systems of memory: the sensory register (SR), short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM).

The sensory register is where information from the senses is stored, but only for a duration of approximately half a second before it is forgotten. It is modality-specific, i.e. whichever sense is registered will match the way it is consequently held (for instance, a taste held as a taste).

However, if attended to, sensory information moves into short-term memory (STM) for temporary storage, which will be encoded visually (as an image), more frequently acoustically (as a sound) or, less often, semantically (through its meaning). STM is thought to have a capacity of 5-9 items and duration of approximately 18-30 seconds. This capacity can be increased through ‘chunking’ (converting a string of items into a number of larger ‘chunks’, e.g. number 343565787 to 343 565 787).

Rehearsing information via the rehearsal loop helps to retain information in the STM, and consolidate it to long-term memory (LTM), which is predominantly encoded semantically. Information can be stored and retrieved for up to any duration, and equally has a seemingly unlimited capacity.

Definitions

Duration

Duration refers to how long a memory ‘trace’ (i.e. information about the past) can be held for, before it is forgotten.

Capacity

‘Capacity’ refers to the maximum amount of information that can be retained in memory.

Encoding

The way that a memory is encoded describes the format that ‘raw’ information is converted to when storing and retrieving such ‘traces’.

Types of encoding include:

Visual (as an image)
Acoustic (as a sound)
Semantic (through its meaning)

Evaluation of the MSM

Strengths:

There is a large base of research that supports the idea of distinct STM and LTM systems (e.g. brain-damaged case study patient KF’s STM was impaired following a motorcycle accident, but his LTM remained intact).
It makes sense that memories in the LTM are encoded semantically – i.e. you might recall the general message put across in a political speech, rather than all of the words as they were heard.
The MSM was a pioneering model of memory that inspired further research and consequently other influential models, such as the Working Memory Model.

Weaknesses:

Some research into STM duration has low ecological validity, as the stimuli participants were asked to remember bear little resemblance to items learned in real life, e.g. Peterson and Peterson (1959) used nonsense trigrams such as ‘XQF’ to investigate STM duration.
The model is arguably over-simplified, as evidence suggests that there are multiple short and long-term memory stores, e.g. ‘LTM’ can be split into Episodic, Procedural and Semantic memory.
It does not make much sense to think of procedural memory (a type of LTM) as being encoded semantically, i.e. knowing how to ride a bike through its meaning.
It is only assumed that LTM has an unlimited capacity, as research has been unable to measure this accurately.

Past Paper Questions

Define the term 'encoding' as it is used in the multi-store model. (1) June 2019

2 Markers

Describe, using the multi-store model of memory, why Mahmood could not remember all 14 food items. (2) January 2017
Justify, using the multi-store model of memory, one conclusion that Mrs Wang could make from her study. (2) October 2019
Explain one weakness with Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) multi-store model of memory. (2) January 2017

4 Marker

Describe what is meant by the terms ‘capacity’ and ‘duration’. (4) January 2018
Explain two strengths of Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) multi-store model of memory. (4) June 2019

8 Marker

Evaluate Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) multi-store model of memory (8) June 2017
Discuss how the multi-store model of memory could explain the differences in Femim and Asha’s articles. (8) October 2018

12 Marker

Evaluate how effectively the multi-store model of memory can help Mrs Hughes cope with her everyday tasks. (12) June 2016

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