1. Cognitive Processing: Models of Memory Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) The Multi Store Model (MSM)

2. Background Information
Richard C. Atkinson (1929-):
Mathematical models of human memory and cognition
President of University of California
Richard Shiffrin (1942):
Attention & Memory
Prof of Cog Science
Head of Memory and Perception Laboratory
Indiana Uni
Richard C. Atkinson (1929-):
Most famous for his research on mathematical models of human memory and cognition
Currently President of University of California
Richard Shiffrin (1942):
Focused on Attention & Memory
Has since develped several other models (such as SAM, REM models)
Currently Head of Memory and Perception Laboratory

3. Multi Store Model of Memory
Proposed 1968 by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin as a proposal for the structure of memory. It proposed that human memory involves a sequence of three stages (links to computer metaphor).

4. Working Memory Model (WMM)

5. 1. Sensory Memory Sensory organs -> Sensory memory:
Duration: ¼ to ½ second
Capacity: all sensory experience
Encoding: sense specific
Sensory memory -> attention
-> decay
1st stage: Sensory memory
Input from Sensory organs
Stored in Sensory memory:
Duration: ¼ to ½ second
Capacity: all sensory experience
Encoding: sense specific
Can move on by attention, or lost through decay (mostly lost).

6. 2. Short-Term Memory Attention -> STM Short-Term Memory:
Duration: up to 30 seconds
Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items
George Miller
Consider your results
Encoding: mainly auditory
STM -> Rehearsal
-> Decay
2nd stage: Short-Term Memory:
Attention in first stage leads to storage in STM
Short-Term Memory:
Duration: 0-18 seconds
Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items
Encoding: mainly auditory
STM stored further through rehearsal or lost through displacement/decay

7. 3. Long-Term Memory Rehearsal -> LTM Long-Term Memory:
Duration: Unlimited
Capacity: Unlimited
Encoding: Mainly Semantic
- STM: retrieval
Final stage: LTM
If STM is rehearsed it is stored in LTM
Long-Term Memory:
Duration: Unlimited
Capacity: Unlimited
Encoding: Mainly Semantic
If retrieved, moves back to STM
Othervise, it can remain in LTM, or be lost through interference, decay of retrieval failure.

8. Strengths of Model Supported by much evidence (memory cases)
Heuristic value  generated research
Case Studies: HM/Clive Wearing
Many memory studies provide evidence to support the distinction between STM and LTM (in terms of encoding, duration and capacity).
The model is influential as it has generated a lot of research into memory.
For example the HM case study, which we have mentioned before. HM has marked problems in long-term memory after brain surgery. However his short-term memory remains intact. This means that theoretically the connection between STM and LTM of the model was damaged, as shown in the diagram. Explains why HM could not retrieve info from LTM and not move memories from STM to LTM.

9. Limitations of Model Reductionist Structurally oriented Overly linear
Descriptive but lacks depth of stores
The model is oversimplified, in particular when it suggests that both short-term and long-term memory each operate in a single, uniform fashion. We now know is this not the case, indicated by the question marks.
It has now become apparent that both short-term and long-term memory are more complicated that previously thought.
In the case of long-term memory, it is unlikely that different kinds of knowledge are all stored within a single, long-term memory store. Indeed different types of long-term memory have been identified.
Why are we able to recall information which we did not rehearse yet unable to recall information which we have rehearsed. Therefore, the role of rehearsal as a means of transferring from STM to LTM is much less important than Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) claimed in their model, highlighted in the diagram.
However, the models main emphasis was on structure and tends to neglect the process elements of memory.
The multi store model has been criticized for being a passive/one way/linear model.

10. Sources http://www.simplypsychology.org/multi-store.html