Multi-store model of memory (H1)
This article is about the multi-store model of memory. First we will describe what the multi-
store of memory is. Then, we will look at key studies about this model. After this, we will
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the model. Finally, we will look at real-world
applications the model can be used for.
What is the multi-store model of memory? (H2)
The multi-store model of memory is a memory model proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin
(1968). According to this model there are 3 separate memory stores. Information is
transferred between these 3 stores in a linear process.
The 3 stores are sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
These memory stores differ in how information is encoded, memory store capacity and how
long information is stored (duration). There are 3 main ways information can be encoded:
visual, acoustic, and semantic (meaning).
Information is detected by the senses and first enters the sensory memory, which stores a
brief impression of the detected stimuli, if the information is focused on it then enters the
STM, after that, if the information is given meaning it then enters the LTM.
Sensory memory (H3)
Duration: ¼ to ½ of a second
Capacity: all sensory experience
Encoding: different stores for each sense, specific – a taste is stored as a taste
The sensory stores constantly receive information, but most of this information is not
attended to and remains in memory very briefly, it is then replaced with new information.
, If you pay attention to one of these received information, it then enters the STM.
Short-term memory (H3)
Duration: up to 30 seconds
Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items
Encoding: mainly auditory
Verbally or mentally repeating information (maintenance rehearsal) allows short-term
memory duration to be prolonged for as long as the information is rehearsed. Continual
rehearsal ‘regenerates’ the information making it a stronger memory when transferred to
LTM. If maintenance rehearsal does not occur, the information is lost from STM.
STM can hold more information if the information is ‘chunked’. For example, when we
remember phone numbers we tend to group the numbers into little parts to remember,
rather than recall each number one by one.
Long-term memory (H3)
Duration: unlimited
Capacity: unlimited
Encoding: mainly semantic, can be visual or auditory
Information is passed into LTM if given meaning (elaborative rehearsal).
Elaborative rehearsal is the process of connecting new information in a meaningful way with
information already stored in LTM. Elaborative rehearsal is more effective to remember new
information then maintenance rehearsal.
Information can be recollected from LTM to STM when needed.
Key Studies (H2)
Glanzer and Kunitz (1966)
Participants were presented with a list of words and asked to recall them. The study found
participants remembered best the first and last few words and had more difficulty recalling
the words in the middle. This is the primary and recency effect, the first few words on a list
are stored in LTM as you have time to rehearse and remember the words (primacy effect),
the last few words on a list are stored in STM (recency effect). The results of the study
supports the notion that there are separate STM and LTM stores.
HM
HM suffered from epileptic seizures, to try and alleviate this, he underwent surgery in 1953
that removed his hippocampus. At the time, it was not known the hippocampus was needed
This article is about the multi-store model of memory. First we will describe what the multi-
store of memory is. Then, we will look at key studies about this model. After this, we will
evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the model. Finally, we will look at real-world
applications the model can be used for.
What is the multi-store model of memory? (H2)
The multi-store model of memory is a memory model proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin
(1968). According to this model there are 3 separate memory stores. Information is
transferred between these 3 stores in a linear process.
The 3 stores are sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
These memory stores differ in how information is encoded, memory store capacity and how
long information is stored (duration). There are 3 main ways information can be encoded:
visual, acoustic, and semantic (meaning).
Information is detected by the senses and first enters the sensory memory, which stores a
brief impression of the detected stimuli, if the information is focused on it then enters the
STM, after that, if the information is given meaning it then enters the LTM.
Sensory memory (H3)
Duration: ¼ to ½ of a second
Capacity: all sensory experience
Encoding: different stores for each sense, specific – a taste is stored as a taste
The sensory stores constantly receive information, but most of this information is not
attended to and remains in memory very briefly, it is then replaced with new information.
, If you pay attention to one of these received information, it then enters the STM.
Short-term memory (H3)
Duration: up to 30 seconds
Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items
Encoding: mainly auditory
Verbally or mentally repeating information (maintenance rehearsal) allows short-term
memory duration to be prolonged for as long as the information is rehearsed. Continual
rehearsal ‘regenerates’ the information making it a stronger memory when transferred to
LTM. If maintenance rehearsal does not occur, the information is lost from STM.
STM can hold more information if the information is ‘chunked’. For example, when we
remember phone numbers we tend to group the numbers into little parts to remember,
rather than recall each number one by one.
Long-term memory (H3)
Duration: unlimited
Capacity: unlimited
Encoding: mainly semantic, can be visual or auditory
Information is passed into LTM if given meaning (elaborative rehearsal).
Elaborative rehearsal is the process of connecting new information in a meaningful way with
information already stored in LTM. Elaborative rehearsal is more effective to remember new
information then maintenance rehearsal.
Information can be recollected from LTM to STM when needed.
Key Studies (H2)
Glanzer and Kunitz (1966)
Participants were presented with a list of words and asked to recall them. The study found
participants remembered best the first and last few words and had more difficulty recalling
the words in the middle. This is the primary and recency effect, the first few words on a list
are stored in LTM as you have time to rehearse and remember the words (primacy effect),
the last few words on a list are stored in STM (recency effect). The results of the study
supports the notion that there are separate STM and LTM stores.
HM
HM suffered from epileptic seizures, to try and alleviate this, he underwent surgery in 1953
that removed his hippocampus. At the time, it was not known the hippocampus was needed
