The Multi Store Model

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The multi-store model: The multi-store approach is concerned with identifying different memory stores. Atkinson & Sheffrin (1968) proposed an early multi-store model, which suggested that there are three types of information store. Initially, information is stored for a fraction of a second at the sensory organs in a sensory register. The information that is attended to whilst in the sensory register passes onto the sort term memory, which only holds a few items and lasts only for a few seconds. However, material that has been rehearsed in short-term memory is subsequently passed on to the long term memory. Arguments for: • HM sustained severe damage to long-term memory but kept a relatively normal short-term memory. If one memory system, but not the other one is damaged this suggest that they must be at least partly separate. This shows that in order to have long-term memory, the information needs to be rehearsed in order for it to transfer to this memory storage. • Peterson – Peterson study supports the theory because it shows that if rehearsal is prevented, the information is removed from the short-term memory in seconds. Which shows long-term and short-term memory is separate. Arguments against: • There is evidence, for ample from the case of FK, to suggest that material in short-term memory is analysed for meaning, and not just for sound. This suggests that the Atkinson & Shiffrin (1968) view of short-term memory is wrong. • There is evidence from the cases of Jon, HM and FK, to suggest that there are several separate store of long-term memory, for example for facts, events and skills. Each of these cases has damage to one or more of these memory systems but not to

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