The multi-store model of memory is a very simplistic explanation for how memory works:
Baddley and Hitch (1974) proposed a different model that focuses on the working of the short term memory in more detail.
Oversimplifying the STM Central
According to the Multi-Store Model: Executive
•STM holds limited amounts of information for short periods of
time with relatively little processing.
•It is a unitary system. This means it is a single system (or store) Phonological loop
without any subsystems. Articulatory control
According to the working model of memory: Visuospatial Episodic system
•Working memory is a multi-component system (auditory, and sketch pad Buffer
visual). Phonological store
•Therefore, whereas short-term memory can only hold
information, working memory can both retain and process
information.
Long term memory
Components
Central Executive - monitors incoming data, focuses and divides our limited attention and allocates slave systems to tasks. It
has a very limited processing capacity and does not store information. Also, it has a limited duration - the data arrives from the
senses but it cannot hold it for long.
Phonological loop - deals with auditory information and preserves the order in which the information arrives. It has a limited
capacity and a limited duration of 1-2 seconds. It is subdivided into:
Phonological store - stores the words you hear
Articulatory process - allows maintenance rehersal (repeating sounds in a loop to keep them in working memory like an inner
voice).
Visuo-spatial sketchpad - stores visual and/or spatial information required. It has a limited capacity of about 3-4 objects and has
a limited duration. It is subdivided into :
Visual cache - stores visual data
Inner scribe - records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
Episodic buffer - (third slave system) it is a temporary store for information, integrating the visual-spatial and verbal information
processes by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing. It can be seen as the storage component of the central
executive and has a limited capacity of about 4 chunks. It links working memory to LTM and wider cognitive processes such as
perception
Using the WMM to evaluate the MSM of memory
One limitation of the MSM of memory is that it was too simplistic.
Evidence for this comes from the fact that the MSM argued that the STM was a single store.
However, the WMM has shown how the short term memory is made up of multiple stores.
This is a weakness for the multi store as it shows that the short term memory is more complex than
originally thought.
Therefore, the MSM is only a limited explanation of how memory works.
Revisiting KF - Use it in a PEEL
Research Support After his brain injury, KF had
Baddeley et al (1979) - dual tasking poor STM ability for auditory
Procedure - Task one was to use a pointer to track a point of light moving around information but had no
a screen (visual task), and the other task was to imagine a capital ‘F’ and difficulties processing visual
mentally move round the edge of the letter classifying the angles as either information in his STM. For
belonging to its top or bottom. In task two participants had to complete a visual example, KF’s immediate recall
task (tracing the shape of the letter F) and a verbal task (condition 2) of letters and digits were better
Results - Participants found the second task (visual and verbal) easier than the when he read them (visually)
first task (two visual). This is because the first task required the use of the same than when they were read out to
component (visuo-spatial sketch pad) which became overloaded. him (acoustic).
-
Baddley and Hitch (1974) proposed a different model that focuses on the working of the short term memory in more detail.
Oversimplifying the STM Central
According to the Multi-Store Model: Executive
•STM holds limited amounts of information for short periods of
time with relatively little processing.
•It is a unitary system. This means it is a single system (or store) Phonological loop
without any subsystems. Articulatory control
According to the working model of memory: Visuospatial Episodic system
•Working memory is a multi-component system (auditory, and sketch pad Buffer
visual). Phonological store
•Therefore, whereas short-term memory can only hold
information, working memory can both retain and process
information.
Long term memory
Components
Central Executive - monitors incoming data, focuses and divides our limited attention and allocates slave systems to tasks. It
has a very limited processing capacity and does not store information. Also, it has a limited duration - the data arrives from the
senses but it cannot hold it for long.
Phonological loop - deals with auditory information and preserves the order in which the information arrives. It has a limited
capacity and a limited duration of 1-2 seconds. It is subdivided into:
Phonological store - stores the words you hear
Articulatory process - allows maintenance rehersal (repeating sounds in a loop to keep them in working memory like an inner
voice).
Visuo-spatial sketchpad - stores visual and/or spatial information required. It has a limited capacity of about 3-4 objects and has
a limited duration. It is subdivided into :
Visual cache - stores visual data
Inner scribe - records the arrangement of objects in the visual field
Episodic buffer - (third slave system) it is a temporary store for information, integrating the visual-spatial and verbal information
processes by other stores and maintaining a sense of time sequencing. It can be seen as the storage component of the central
executive and has a limited capacity of about 4 chunks. It links working memory to LTM and wider cognitive processes such as
perception
Using the WMM to evaluate the MSM of memory
One limitation of the MSM of memory is that it was too simplistic.
Evidence for this comes from the fact that the MSM argued that the STM was a single store.
However, the WMM has shown how the short term memory is made up of multiple stores.
This is a weakness for the multi store as it shows that the short term memory is more complex than
originally thought.
Therefore, the MSM is only a limited explanation of how memory works.
Revisiting KF - Use it in a PEEL
Research Support After his brain injury, KF had
Baddeley et al (1979) - dual tasking poor STM ability for auditory
Procedure - Task one was to use a pointer to track a point of light moving around information but had no
a screen (visual task), and the other task was to imagine a capital ‘F’ and difficulties processing visual
mentally move round the edge of the letter classifying the angles as either information in his STM. For
belonging to its top or bottom. In task two participants had to complete a visual example, KF’s immediate recall
task (tracing the shape of the letter F) and a verbal task (condition 2) of letters and digits were better
Results - Participants found the second task (visual and verbal) easier than the when he read them (visually)
first task (two visual). This is because the first task required the use of the same than when they were read out to
component (visuo-spatial sketch pad) which became overloaded. him (acoustic).
-
