Model of memory = The structure and function of the brain (neurophysiology) are complicated to understand; therefore, cognitive
psychologists use theoretical models to simplify the processes underlying memory.
The multi-store model (MSM) of memory: Devised by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), was the first cognitive description of memory. It
views information as passing through a series of linear storage systems: The Sensory Register (SR), Short-term Memory (STM)
and Long-term Memory (LTM).
Each stage varies in terms of:
Coding = the format in which the information is kept. Rehearsal Loop
Capacity = the quantity of information that can be stored.
Duration = how long it can be stored for.
Transfer
Attention
Sensory Short-Term Long-Term
Register Memory Memory
MSM =
Retrieval
A summary of the features of each store:
Sensory Register Short-term Memory Long-term Memory
STM capacity
STM duration Coding Sense Specific can be increased
can be
(different stores for Mostly acoustic (by Mostly Semantic (by by chunking
increased by sound) meaning) items together
verbal rehersal. each sense) (Miller 1959).
Capacity Very large capacity Small - 7+/-2 items Potentially unlimited
Duration Breif 1/2 second Short (max 30 seconds) Potentially a lifetime
Research Support
Peterson and Peterson (1959)
Aim: Peterson & Peterson (1959) investigated the duration of short-term memory by conducting a laboratory experiment with a
sample of 24 psychology students.
Procedure: The students had to recall meaningless three-letter trigrams (for example, THG, XWV) at different intervals (3,6,9,12,15
or 18 seconds). To prevent rehearsal the students had to count backwards in threes or fours from a specific number ,until they were
asked to recall the letters.
Findings: Peterson & Peterson found that the longer the interval, the less accurate the recall. At 3seconds, around 80% of the
trigrams were correctly recalled, whereas at 18 seconds only 10% were correctly recalled.
Conclusion: Peterson & Peterson concluded that short –term memory has a limited duration of approximately 18 seconds.
Furthermore, the results show that if we are unable to rehearse information, it will not be passed to long-term memory, providing
further support for the multi-store model and the idea of discrete memory stores
GRAVE: High standardised procedure and it is scientific. Therefore it has high reliability and replicability. However, low ecological
validity as artificial stimuli was used.
psychologists use theoretical models to simplify the processes underlying memory.
The multi-store model (MSM) of memory: Devised by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), was the first cognitive description of memory. It
views information as passing through a series of linear storage systems: The Sensory Register (SR), Short-term Memory (STM)
and Long-term Memory (LTM).
Each stage varies in terms of:
Coding = the format in which the information is kept. Rehearsal Loop
Capacity = the quantity of information that can be stored.
Duration = how long it can be stored for.
Transfer
Attention
Sensory Short-Term Long-Term
Register Memory Memory
MSM =
Retrieval
A summary of the features of each store:
Sensory Register Short-term Memory Long-term Memory
STM capacity
STM duration Coding Sense Specific can be increased
can be
(different stores for Mostly acoustic (by Mostly Semantic (by by chunking
increased by sound) meaning) items together
verbal rehersal. each sense) (Miller 1959).
Capacity Very large capacity Small - 7+/-2 items Potentially unlimited
Duration Breif 1/2 second Short (max 30 seconds) Potentially a lifetime
Research Support
Peterson and Peterson (1959)
Aim: Peterson & Peterson (1959) investigated the duration of short-term memory by conducting a laboratory experiment with a
sample of 24 psychology students.
Procedure: The students had to recall meaningless three-letter trigrams (for example, THG, XWV) at different intervals (3,6,9,12,15
or 18 seconds). To prevent rehearsal the students had to count backwards in threes or fours from a specific number ,until they were
asked to recall the letters.
Findings: Peterson & Peterson found that the longer the interval, the less accurate the recall. At 3seconds, around 80% of the
trigrams were correctly recalled, whereas at 18 seconds only 10% were correctly recalled.
Conclusion: Peterson & Peterson concluded that short –term memory has a limited duration of approximately 18 seconds.
Furthermore, the results show that if we are unable to rehearse information, it will not be passed to long-term memory, providing
further support for the multi-store model and the idea of discrete memory stores
GRAVE: High standardised procedure and it is scientific. Therefore it has high reliability and replicability. However, low ecological
validity as artificial stimuli was used.
