However if the information receives attention, it will pass on to short term memory. The information held in short term memory is in a fragile state. The information is rehearsed and the information stays since it is in the 7+-2 capacity for short term memory. By maintenance rehearsal, the information can be transferred to long term memory. In long term memory there is a much larger capacity and the duration is possibly lifelong.
Declarative memory is a memory for specific information or facts, which can be sub-divided into Semantic storage for language and general knowledge. This is the kind of memory that is tested in experimental work. The other sub-division is Episodic which is storage for personal events and people. This memory may not be reliable because of memory distortions. In 2000 Schachter et al.
If attended to this information enters the short term memory. Information from the STM is transferred to the long-term memory only if that information is rehearsed. If rehearsal does not occur, then information is forgotten, lost from short term memory through the processes of displacement or decay. Sensory Memory • Duration: ¼ to ½ second • Capacity: all sensory experience (v. larger capacity) • Encoding: sense specific (e.g. different stores for each sense) Short Term Memory • Duration: 0-18 seconds • Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items • Encoding: mainly auditory Long Term Memory • Duration: Unlimited • Capacity: Unlimited • Encoding: Mainly Semantic (but can be visual and auditory) Evaluation of the Multi-Store Model Strengths Many memory studies provide evidence to support the distinction between STM and LTM (in terms of encoding, duration and capacity).
Information passes through each stage/store by control processes. The information must pass through all stages in order to get to the end. SENSORY MEMORY The sensory memory receives incoming information. The information it receives is sensual i.e.visual or auditory. The Sensory Memory Store has a limited abilility to store information, any information received will either decay or by taking notice of the information can then continue forward to the (STM).
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.
Discuss the value of the Multi Store Model of memory (12 marks) The MSM of memory consists of four main components: the Attention System (Sensory Store), the Short Term Store (often known as the working memory), the Rehearsal Loop and the Long Term Store. The Attention System filters incoming information. If this information is paid attention to, it gets transferred into the Short Term Store. However, if the information is not acknowledged it is lost/decays. The Rehearsal Loop allows the rehearsal of information resulting in it being transferred into either the Long Term Store, or due to maintenance rehearsal, the information will be able to stay stored in the Short Term Store.
The long term memory stores unlimited amount of information for a lifetime through semantic encoding. However, it may be forgotten because memory traces can decay, ‘new’ information which causes confusion and interferes with the old information or particular cues within the environment are not available causing retrieval failure. Many investigations/ experiments/ case studies have been undertaken to test the Multi-store memory model. This essay will give both the strengths and weaknesses of the MSMM. Peterson and Peterson investigated the duration of the Short Term Memory in 1959.
New information that enters the short term store displaces (pushes out) any information that is already there, meaning that information that is not rehearsed and passed to the long term store is forgotten. When information enters the long term store (also know as long term memory) it remains there for up to a life time (Bahrick et al, 1975). The capacity of the store is potentially unlimited, and encoding is primarily in a semantic format (information is stored by its meaning). Evaluating the multi-store model The multi-store model has fairly high face validity. This means that at first impression it seems to offer a plausible explanation as to how information passes through memory and is either stored or forgotten.
Memory is to do with how we encode, store and retrieve information. The multi-store model of memory was suggested by Atkinson and Shiffrin who said that we have 3 different memory stores: sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory and formed a linear model to demonstrate the process. A key aspect of the model is that the memory stores have different characteristics which include capacity, duration and encoding. Capacity refers to how much information that can be stored, duration is how long the memory lasts and encoding is how the memory is taken in and stored to be recalled later. We have sensory memory stores where information from the outside world is taken in unconsciously so if it is not looked at consciously it can be lost via decay as the duration is very short (possibly up to 2 seconds).
A model of memory is Atinson and Sriffrins 1968 multi- store model of memory. The multi-store model of memory shows that memory goes into seperate stores, first being the sensory memory where the sense organ picks up the sense, through iconic and echoc storage ecoding, the duration of the sensory memory is incredibly short of only lasting between a 1/4 and a 1/2 of a second. if attented to, the information from the sensory memory will pass to the short term memory. Once in the short term memory, the information is encoded mainy auditory and the duration is very short, with it only lasting about 0-18 seconds. its said that the capacity of stm is 7+-2 chunks, as millers study 1956 showed as showed the stm could hold approximatley 7 chunks of information at one time.