Memory

Models of Memory

Multi-Store Model (MSM) - ATKINSON and SHIFFRIN (1968)

Memory is catagorised as a flow of information through a system. The system is divided into a set of stages in which information passes through in a fixed sequence. There are capacity and duration limitations at each stage, and passing information to each stage may require re-coding.

• Incoming stimuli
• Sensory Memory (SM) - Capacity: < 4 items. Duration: < 4 seconds / < 1 second. Encoding: acoustic and visual.
• information loss through decay
• Short Term Memory (STM) - Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items. Duration: < 30 seconds. Encoding: acoustic.
• information loss through decay/ displacement
• Rehearsal transfer
• Long Term Memory (LTM) - Capacity: vast. Duration: life time. Encoding: semantic.
• information loss through decay/ retrieval failure/ interference.

Strengths:

• Distinguishes between STM and LTM stores - Brain Damage and Memory study by MILNER (1965)
• Evidence in support of the MSM by GLANZER and CUNITZ (1966)

Weaknesses:

• Too simplistic and inflexible to explain the entire memory system.
• Fails to take into account individual strategies people use to remember things, as well as some things just being easier to remember.
• System is interactive, not separate.
• People can acquire new knowledge without rehearsal. 

The Working Memory Model (WMM) - BADDELEY and HITCH (1974)

The working memory model replaces the concept of a unitary STM. It proposes a multi-component flexible system concerned with active processing and STM storage of information.

• The Central Executive is the most important component in the WMM and is involved in problem solving and…