Describe And Evaluate The Multi Store Memory Model

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12 marks The multi store model of memory was created by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968. Their findings showed that information first enters into the sensory memory which is very short lived. The sensory memory can be produced in two ways Iconic (visual) or Echoic (auditory). When the information has caught the attention of the brain it enters the short term memory which lasts for up to 20 seconds this was discovered in an experiment by Psychologist Peterson in 1959. In addition information in the short term memory store is encoded acoustically; this theory is supported by Conrad’s 1964 case study where an experiment was conducted that confirmed Atkinson and Shiffrin’s theory that the STM encodes information acoustically. Their findings showed after rehearsal the info is transferred from the STM to Long term memory store if not rehearsed information is lost through decay. When in the LTM, the material can last for up to a lifetime when rehearsed or is of semantic value. LTM encodes information that is semantic. There are many strong points to consider in terms of the multi store model of memory. Previous studies such as Milner (1966 study of HM) and Baddeley (1997 Clive Wearing) support the theory that long-term memory and short-term memory are very different and separate stores. More over the msmm was a good starting point and generated lots of further research into memory. For instance Bahrick’s 1975 study entitled “How long is long term memory?” Although the Multi store memory model has led to many further studies, the msmm focuses solely on the structure and not much on the actually process of each memory stage. The Multi store memory model suggests that there is only one form of entry into the long-term memory (through rehearsal), in spite of this research suggests that there are different forms information can enter the long-term memory such as semantic,
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