Coding capacity and duration
AO1
Short term memory (STM)- limited capacity memory store. In STM, coding is mainly acoustic
(sounds), capacity is between 5 and 9 items on average, duration is 18 seconds.
Long term memory (LTM)-the permanent memory store. In LTM, coding is mainly sematic
( meaning), it has unlimited capacity and can store memories for up to a like time.
Coding- the format in which information is stored in the various memory store.
Capacity- the amount of information that can be held in a memory store.
Duration- the length of time information can be held in memory.
A03
Baddeley’s study identified a clear difference between the two memory stores.
One limitation is that it can be use artificial stimuli rather than meaningful material.
Jacobs study has been replicated.
The multi store model of memory
AO1
Atkinson and Shiffrin made a model that suggested that there are 3 stores of memory linked to
processing.
1. Sensory register- all stimuli from the environment. This part of memory comprises of several
registers. Iconic memory ( visual information and echoic memory ( sound memory). The
duration of the material is very brief- less than half a second but they have a high capacity.
2. STM- mainly stored acoustically, lasts 18 seconds unless it is rehearsed. Maintenance
rehearsal- repeating information, if we do it for long enough time it moves to our LTM.
3. LTM- permanent store, mostly coded semantically.
Retrieval- transferring LTM information to STM for use.
AO3
Support from studies show that STM and LTM are different (Baddeley)
However, the tests was done using digits, letters which is not the sort of things that we try to
remember, therefore it doesn’t give us a valid model of how memory works in everyday life.
There is evidence for more than 1 STM store. Patient KF- digits recall was very poor when read out to
him but when he read to himself it was much better.
Types of long term memory
AO1
, Tulving
Episodic memory- a long term memory store for personal events. It includes memories of when
events occurred and of people, objects, places and behaviours involved. Memory from this store had
to be retrieved consciously and with effort.
Semantic memory- a long term memory store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts
and knowledge of what words and concepts mean. These memories are usually recalled deliberately.
Procedural memory- a long term memory store for knowledge of how we do things. This includes
our memories of learnt skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or
deliberate effort.
AO3
HM and Clive Wearing- both had brain damage, but their semantic memories was unaffected so was
their procedural memory. This supports Tulving’s theory that one store can be damaged and the
others unaffected.
However, those studies lacked control variables.
A strength is that it has real world application.
The working memory model
AO1
(WMM) Baddeley and Hitch 1974- is an explanation of how one aspect of memory (STM) is
organised and how it functions.
Central executive- co ordinates the activities of the 3 subsystems in memory, it allocates processing
resources to those activities.
Phonological loop- processes information in terms of sound.
Visuo spatial sketchpad- processes visual and spatial information. It is known as the ‘inner eye’.
Episodic buffer- brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory. It
provides a bridge between WM and LTM.
AO3
Patient KF supporting evidence.
One limitation is that it lacks clarity over the nature of the central executive.
The studies of dual task performance support the visuo spatial sketchpad.
Explanations for forgetting interference
AO1
Interference- forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be
distorted or forgotten.
AO1
Short term memory (STM)- limited capacity memory store. In STM, coding is mainly acoustic
(sounds), capacity is between 5 and 9 items on average, duration is 18 seconds.
Long term memory (LTM)-the permanent memory store. In LTM, coding is mainly sematic
( meaning), it has unlimited capacity and can store memories for up to a like time.
Coding- the format in which information is stored in the various memory store.
Capacity- the amount of information that can be held in a memory store.
Duration- the length of time information can be held in memory.
A03
Baddeley’s study identified a clear difference between the two memory stores.
One limitation is that it can be use artificial stimuli rather than meaningful material.
Jacobs study has been replicated.
The multi store model of memory
AO1
Atkinson and Shiffrin made a model that suggested that there are 3 stores of memory linked to
processing.
1. Sensory register- all stimuli from the environment. This part of memory comprises of several
registers. Iconic memory ( visual information and echoic memory ( sound memory). The
duration of the material is very brief- less than half a second but they have a high capacity.
2. STM- mainly stored acoustically, lasts 18 seconds unless it is rehearsed. Maintenance
rehearsal- repeating information, if we do it for long enough time it moves to our LTM.
3. LTM- permanent store, mostly coded semantically.
Retrieval- transferring LTM information to STM for use.
AO3
Support from studies show that STM and LTM are different (Baddeley)
However, the tests was done using digits, letters which is not the sort of things that we try to
remember, therefore it doesn’t give us a valid model of how memory works in everyday life.
There is evidence for more than 1 STM store. Patient KF- digits recall was very poor when read out to
him but when he read to himself it was much better.
Types of long term memory
AO1
, Tulving
Episodic memory- a long term memory store for personal events. It includes memories of when
events occurred and of people, objects, places and behaviours involved. Memory from this store had
to be retrieved consciously and with effort.
Semantic memory- a long term memory store for our knowledge of the world. This includes facts
and knowledge of what words and concepts mean. These memories are usually recalled deliberately.
Procedural memory- a long term memory store for knowledge of how we do things. This includes
our memories of learnt skills. We usually recall these memories without making a conscious or
deliberate effort.
AO3
HM and Clive Wearing- both had brain damage, but their semantic memories was unaffected so was
their procedural memory. This supports Tulving’s theory that one store can be damaged and the
others unaffected.
However, those studies lacked control variables.
A strength is that it has real world application.
The working memory model
AO1
(WMM) Baddeley and Hitch 1974- is an explanation of how one aspect of memory (STM) is
organised and how it functions.
Central executive- co ordinates the activities of the 3 subsystems in memory, it allocates processing
resources to those activities.
Phonological loop- processes information in terms of sound.
Visuo spatial sketchpad- processes visual and spatial information. It is known as the ‘inner eye’.
Episodic buffer- brings together material from the other subsystems into a single memory. It
provides a bridge between WM and LTM.
AO3
Patient KF supporting evidence.
One limitation is that it lacks clarity over the nature of the central executive.
The studies of dual task performance support the visuo spatial sketchpad.
Explanations for forgetting interference
AO1
Interference- forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be
distorted or forgotten.
