The Multi-Store Model of Memory (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

What is the multi-store model of memory?

• The multi-store model of memory (MSM) developed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1972) explains how information flows through three distinct memory stores:

  • sensory memory

  • short-term memory (STM)

  • long-term memory (LTM)

• It is a cognitive model that views the mind as a processor of information, similar to how a computer encodes, stores, and retrieves data

• Information flows in a linear sequence:

  • Input from the environment

  • Sensory store

  • STM

  • LTM

  • Retrieval

  • Output

• If information is not attended to or rehearsed, it is forgotten through decay or displacement

Sensory memory

• Sensory memory receives and briefly stores sensory input from the environment through the five senses, e.g.

  • the warmth of the sun on your skin

  • the sound of a song

  • the sight of a red car driving by

• Duration:

  • Very short — about 0.5 to 2 seconds

• Capacity:

  • Very large, since we constantly process multiple sensory inputs

• Encoding:

  • Modality-specific, i.e. information is encoded by each sense (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.)

• Forgetting:

  • Occurs through decay if attention is not paid to the information

    • If attention is given, information moves into short-term memory

Short-term memory (STM)

• STM is a temporary storage system for information that has been attended to

• Capacity:

  • It can hold an average of 7 items, plus or minus 2 (7 ± 2 items)

• Duration:

  • Around 15–30 seconds, unless rehearsed

• Encoding:

  • Mainly acoustic — based on the sound of the information

• Maintenance rehearsal:

  • Repeating information keeps it active in STM for longer

    • e.g. repeating a phone number over and over until you dial it

• Elaborative rehearsal:

  • Thinking about the meaning of the information helps transfer it to LTM

    • e.g. remembering that you have an important event to go to

• Forgetting:

  • When STM is full, new information pushes out old information

    • This is called displacement

Long-term memory (LTM)

• LTM is the store for all information that has been rehearsed or processed deeply

• Duration:

  • Potentially lifelong

    • E.g. you might remember the meaning of a word or an event from childhood, even decades later

• Capacity:

  • Unlimited

• Encoding:

  • Mainly semantic (based on meaning), but can also be visual or auditory

• Forgetting:

  • May occur through decay or retrieval failure

Criticisms of the multi-store model of memory

• Too simplistic

  • The model presents memory as a single, linear process

  • Research shows STM is more complex and can deal with multiple pieces of sensory information at one time

• Neuroscientific evidence contradicts the model

  • Studies show that different brain areas handle different types of LTM

    • E.g. the hippocampus for episodic memories and the cerebellum for procedural memories, suggesting that there is more than one LTM store

• Overemphasis on rehearsal

  • MSM assumes rehearsal is the only way to transfer information to LTM

  • However, emotionally powerful or meaningful events can be remembered without rehearsal

• Rehearsal vs meaning

  • Later research (e.g. Craik & Lockhart, 1972) found that semantic processing (thinking about meaning) leads to better long-term retention than repetition alone

  • This is known as elaborative rehearsal, which Shiffrin later added to the model