The multi-store model of memory

Atkinson and Shiffrin proposed the multi-store model. They suggested it is made up of 3 components: sensory register, short-term memory and long-term memory. Memories are formed sequentially and information passes from one component to the next.

Coding - the way information is changed and stored in memory
Duration - the length of time information is held
Capacity - the amount of information that can be store

The sensory register

• Capacity = unknown
• Duration = limited (250 milliseconds)
• Coding = modality specific
• Information attended to passed on to short-term memory

Short-term memory

• Capacity = 7+/-2 chunks
• Duration = limited (20 seconds)
• Coding = acoustic
• Rehearsed information transferred to long-term memory

Long-term memory

• Capacity = unlimited
• Duration = lifetime
• Coding = semantic

EVALUATION
Case study support - Clive Wearing

• Contracted virus causing severe amnesia
• Could only…