Cognitive Level of Analysis: Part III A Model of Memory: The Multi-Store Model of Memory

Atkinson and Shiffrin Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) were the first to suggest a basic structure of memory, with their multi-store model of memory. Memory consists of a number of separate stores Memory processes are sequential Model is very simplistic and reflects knowledge of 1960s This is the most influential model to date. Model was suggested in the 1960s and it was inspired by computer science, with the idea of humans as information processors.

Multi-Store Model Sensory Memory Short-Term Memory Long-Term Memory Rehearsal Sensory Memory Short-Term Memory Encoding Long-Term Memory Selective attention Sensory Input Retrieval For permanent memory storage, processes such as attention, coding, and rehearsal are essential. You need to pay attention to something in order to remember it, you need to give the material a form which enables you to remember it. Rehearsal simply means keeping material active in memory by repeating it until it can be stored. The model contains several stores. Information from the world enters the sensory memory, it stays here for FEW SECONDS, only a small portion of the information will continue in to the short-term memory store (STM) Decay Displacement Loss (not available)

Multi-Store Model Sensory memory – modality specific, meaning related to different senses (e.g. hearing, vision) Short-Term Memory (STM) – capacity limited to 7 items, duration is about 6-12 seconds. Material is quickly lost if not given attention. Long-Term Memory(LTM) – unlimited capacity, stored in outline form For permanent memory storage, processes such as attention, coding, and rehearsal are essential. You need to pay attention to something in order to remember it, you need to give the material a form which enables you to remember it. Rehearsal simply means keeping material active in memory by repeating it until it can be stored. Rehearsal plays a key role in determining what is stored in LTM. LTM vast storehouse of information – unlimited although psychologists don’t know how much can be stored. The material is not an exact copy, it’s in outline form. Memories may be distorted when retrieved, because we fill in gaps to create a meaningful memory as predicted by schema theory.

The Working Memory Model Central Executive Visuospatial sketchpad Phonological loop Episodic buffer Long-term storage memory