Memory
Outline and evaluate the multi-store memory
AO1
- Describes how information flows through the memory system
- Three stores linked by processing
- Stimuli from the environment pass through the sensory register,
which is comprised of several registers, one for each of our senses
- Coding is modality – specific, duration is short and has a high
capacity
- Short term memory is a temporary store
- Coded acoustically, lasts up to 30 seconds and a limited capacity
- Maintenance rehearsal occurs when we rehearse it long enough it
enters into our long term memory
- LTM coded semantically, duration up to a lifetime and a potentially
permanent store
- When we recall information, it must be transferred to the STM by
retrieval
AO3
STRENGTH – RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Alan Baddeley 1966
- Found that we tend to mix up words that sound familiar when we
use our STM, but we mix up words that have a similar meaning
when we use our LTM
- Gave different lists of words to four groups of participants to
remember
- Semantically/acoustically dissimilar/similar
- Pps were asked to recall in correct order
- Immediately = worse with acoustically similar
- After 20 minutes = worse with semantically similar
- Information is coded acoustically in the STM and semantically in the
LTM
- Show that STM and LTM are separate independent stores
LIMITATION – GENRALISING
- Counterpoint
- We form memories related to people’s names, faces, facts, and
places
- In most studies into the MSM materials such as digits, letters and
words have been used or even constant syllables that have no
meaning
- Therefore, the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works
in our everyday lives
LIMITATION – MORE THAN ONE STM STORE
- Patient KF had amnesia.
- STM was reduced to two digits
, - Recall however was better when he read the digits himself
- Therefore, he had good visual STM but bad auditory STM suggesting
that the STM has separate visual and acoustic stores
- This does not support the MSM in claiming that there is one STM
store processing different types of information
LIMITATION – ELABORATIVE REHEARSAL
- That prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM
- According to the MSM what matters about rehearsal is the amount
of it – the more you rehearse it the more likely for transfer to LTM
- However, Crail and Watkins found that the type of rehearsal is more
important than the amount
- Elaborative rehearsal is needed for LTM storage which occurs when
you link the information to your existing knowledge suggesting that
information can be transferred to LTM without prolonged rehearsal
- Suggests that the MSM does not fully explain how LTM is achieved
Outline and evaluate types of long-term memory
AO1
- Episodic memory refers to our ability to recall events from our lives
– most recent visit to the dentist – memories are complex – first you
remember when they happened as well as what happened – then
your memory of a single episode will include several elements that
produce a single memory – finally you have to make a conscious
effort to recall the memory
- Semantic memory contains our shared knowledge of the world –
how to apply to university or the meaning of words – contains
knowledge on concepts such as animals or love
- Procedural memory is our memory if actions or skills – we recall
these memories without conscious awareness or much effort
AO3
CLINICAL EVIDENCE
- The studies of patient HM and Clive Wearing
- Episodic memory in both cases was severely impaired, due to brain
damage, but their semantic memories were relatively unaffected.
- They still understood the meaning of words but couldn’t recall
events
- Procedural memory was still intact – Clive Wearing was a
professional musician and knew how to read and write and play
music
- Supports the idea that there are different memories – if one store is
damaged the others are not affected
ALTERNATIVE VIEW
- Cohen and Squire argued that there were only two types of LTM:
Declarative and Non-declarative
- They argued that both semantic and episodic are types of
declarative memory, memories can be consciously recalled
Outline and evaluate the multi-store memory
AO1
- Describes how information flows through the memory system
- Three stores linked by processing
- Stimuli from the environment pass through the sensory register,
which is comprised of several registers, one for each of our senses
- Coding is modality – specific, duration is short and has a high
capacity
- Short term memory is a temporary store
- Coded acoustically, lasts up to 30 seconds and a limited capacity
- Maintenance rehearsal occurs when we rehearse it long enough it
enters into our long term memory
- LTM coded semantically, duration up to a lifetime and a potentially
permanent store
- When we recall information, it must be transferred to the STM by
retrieval
AO3
STRENGTH – RESEARCH SUPPORT
- Alan Baddeley 1966
- Found that we tend to mix up words that sound familiar when we
use our STM, but we mix up words that have a similar meaning
when we use our LTM
- Gave different lists of words to four groups of participants to
remember
- Semantically/acoustically dissimilar/similar
- Pps were asked to recall in correct order
- Immediately = worse with acoustically similar
- After 20 minutes = worse with semantically similar
- Information is coded acoustically in the STM and semantically in the
LTM
- Show that STM and LTM are separate independent stores
LIMITATION – GENRALISING
- Counterpoint
- We form memories related to people’s names, faces, facts, and
places
- In most studies into the MSM materials such as digits, letters and
words have been used or even constant syllables that have no
meaning
- Therefore, the MSM may not be a valid model of how memory works
in our everyday lives
LIMITATION – MORE THAN ONE STM STORE
- Patient KF had amnesia.
- STM was reduced to two digits
, - Recall however was better when he read the digits himself
- Therefore, he had good visual STM but bad auditory STM suggesting
that the STM has separate visual and acoustic stores
- This does not support the MSM in claiming that there is one STM
store processing different types of information
LIMITATION – ELABORATIVE REHEARSAL
- That prolonged rehearsal is not needed for transfer to LTM
- According to the MSM what matters about rehearsal is the amount
of it – the more you rehearse it the more likely for transfer to LTM
- However, Crail and Watkins found that the type of rehearsal is more
important than the amount
- Elaborative rehearsal is needed for LTM storage which occurs when
you link the information to your existing knowledge suggesting that
information can be transferred to LTM without prolonged rehearsal
- Suggests that the MSM does not fully explain how LTM is achieved
Outline and evaluate types of long-term memory
AO1
- Episodic memory refers to our ability to recall events from our lives
– most recent visit to the dentist – memories are complex – first you
remember when they happened as well as what happened – then
your memory of a single episode will include several elements that
produce a single memory – finally you have to make a conscious
effort to recall the memory
- Semantic memory contains our shared knowledge of the world –
how to apply to university or the meaning of words – contains
knowledge on concepts such as animals or love
- Procedural memory is our memory if actions or skills – we recall
these memories without conscious awareness or much effort
AO3
CLINICAL EVIDENCE
- The studies of patient HM and Clive Wearing
- Episodic memory in both cases was severely impaired, due to brain
damage, but their semantic memories were relatively unaffected.
- They still understood the meaning of words but couldn’t recall
events
- Procedural memory was still intact – Clive Wearing was a
professional musician and knew how to read and write and play
music
- Supports the idea that there are different memories – if one store is
damaged the others are not affected
ALTERNATIVE VIEW
- Cohen and Squire argued that there were only two types of LTM:
Declarative and Non-declarative
- They argued that both semantic and episodic are types of
declarative memory, memories can be consciously recalled
