Welcome to our unit on the Multi-Store Model of Memory! Memory is a crucial part of our everyday lives, and understanding how it works can provide valuable insights into human behaviour and cognition. Let's begin exploring one of the foundational models in cognitive psychology.
To get us going here is a short, fun video that introduces you to the topic of memory.
How does your memory work? by BBC Earth
Unit Objectives
Understand the basic structure and function of the Multi-Store Model of Memory.
Explore the characteristics and function of sensory memory.
Understand the properties and limitations of short-term memory.
Examine the characteristics and processes involved in long-term memory.
Understand the encoding, storage, and retrieval processes in the Multi-Store Model of Memory and how information moves between Short-Term Memory (STM) and Long-Term Memory (LTM).
Understand the case of HM and Clive Wearing, learn about the brain regions involved in memory and evaluate how HM and Clive Wearings cases support or challenge the Multi-Store Model of Memory.
Critically evaluate the Multi-Store Model of Memory, identifying its strengths and weaknesses.
Task 1
Journal
Create a cover page for the Multi-Store Model of Memory in your journal. Make sure to leave room in the bottom half of the page for a contents list which you will add at the end of the unit. On the first page write the title ' The Model'.
Watch
How does memory work? by Headspace
Thinking Prompt:
Think about a recent time you forgot something important. What strategies did you use to try to remember it? Make a short bullet point list, in your journal of some study strategies you can use to help you when you are revising.
Watch
Introduction to Memory by Psychexamreview
Reading Assignment:
Read the section on the Multi-Store Model of Memory in the following articles. Pay attention to the three main components: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory (LTM).
Watch
Multi-store Model by Themantic Education
Key Concepts:
Sensory Memory: The initial stage that holds all incoming information for a very short period.
Short-Term Memory (STM): Holds a limited amount of information for a brief period unless rehearsed.
Long-Term Memory (LTM): Stores information indefinitely, with a virtually unlimited capacity.
Infographic:
The infographic below summarises the multi-store model of memory. Download a copy and add it to your journal. Write down definitions for sensory, short-term and long-term memory, decay, displacement, retrieval failure and interference in your journal.
Journal
After reading the article and viewing the infographic, reflect on the following question: How do sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory interact with each other in daily life? Write a brief paragraph summarizing your thoughts.
Task 2
Welcome to our second lesson on the Multi-Store Model of Memory! Today, we will delve into sensory memory, the initial stage of memory processing that captures all incoming information from our environment.
Journal
Write the title ' Sensory Memory' in your journal.
Key Points
Sensory memory allows instant recall of stimuli.
There are different types of sensory memory, including iconic memory, echoic memory, and haptic memory.
In sensory memory, no manipulation of the incoming information occurs, and the input is quickly transferred to the short-term/working memory.
A lot of information enters the sensory memory but for that information to be encoded and moved to short-term memory we have to pay attention to it.
You will hear the terms short-term memory and working memory used interchangeably. For this course, short-term memory is used when referring to the Multi-store Model of Memory and working memory when referring to the Working Memory Model which we will look at in more detail in a later unit of work.
Sensory information is retained in the sensory memory for a brief time after its presentation. Sensory memory is an automatic response considered to be outside of cognitive control. The information represented in this type of memory is the "raw data" which provides a snapshot of a person's overall sensory experience. Information from sensory memory has the shortest retention time, ranging from mere milliseconds to five seconds. It is retained just long enough for it to be transferred to short-term (working) memory. Only the information we pay attention to is transferred to short-term memory everything else is forgotten.
Watch
Focus on the following key concepts whilst watching the video:-
Iconic Memory: Visual sensory memory lasting about 0.5 seconds.
Echoic Memory: Auditory sensory memory lasting about 3-4 seconds.
Duration and Capacity: Sensory memory holds a large amount of information for a very short period.
Sensory Memory by Psychexamreview
Thinking Prompt
Think about a time when you quickly glanced at something and then had to recall it a moment later. Maybe you have played a game where you have to remember several items that you only see for a short time before the items are covered up.
Reading Assignment
Visit Simply Psychology and read the article on sensory memory.
Infographic
Create an infographic on Canva that summarises the types and characteristics of sensory memory add this to your journal.
Watch
Flextime with Tim Steadman. Make sure you download the worksheet in the description before you watch the video.
Journal
Write a summary of Sperling's study, including methodology and findings using GRAVE and add it to your journal.
In sensory memory, no manipulation of the incoming information occurs as it is transferred quickly to working memory. The amount of information is greatly reduced during this transfer because the capacity of working memory is not large enough to cope with all the input coming from our sense organs.
Great job completing Lesson 2! You now have a deeper understanding of sensory memory, including its types, and characteristics, and the seminal study by Sperling that helped us understand this initial stage of memory processing.
Task 3
Welcome to our third lesson on the Multi-Store Model of Memory! Today, we will focus on Short-Term Memory (STM), exploring its characteristics, capacity, and the processes involved in maintaining information in this memory store.
Key Points
Short-term memory allows temporary recall of information being processed. It decays rapidly and has a limited capacity.
Rehearsal and chunking are two ways to make information more likely to be held in short-term memory and moved to long-term memory.
Remember - short-term memory and working memory are not the same thing!
Watch
Focus on the following key concepts while watching the videos:-
Duration: Short-Term Memory holds information for about 15-30 seconds without rehearsal.
Capacity: According to Miller’s Law, STM can hold about 7 ± 2 items.
Encoding: STM primarily uses acoustic encoding, meaning we often remember things by the way they sound.
Short-Term Memory by Brain Games
Short Term Memory by Pixorize
Reflection Activity:
Think about a time when you had to remember a phone number or a shopping list without writing it down. How did you do it? Do a quick internet search on ways to improve your memory. Did you learn any new techniques you can add to the list of study techniques you made in task 1?
Reading Assignment
Read the article on Simple Psychology, stop when you get to working memory.
Watch
The Magical Number 7 by Humanfactoids.
Peterson and Peterson (1959) by PinchTrap
Journal
Write the title 'Short-term Memory'. Use the information above and an internet search or your textbook to complete a TEACUP evaluation for Miller's Theory and Peterson and Peterson's Theory. Make sure to add these to your journal they will be useful when you come to revision.
Key Concepts
Short-term memory is passive.
It has a limited capacity (Miller's Theory - magic 7 +- 2)
It has a limited duration (Peterson and Peterson's Theory - 30 seconds)
Memories are temporarily stored but not processed or manipulated.
Acoustic encoding.
The process of transferring information from short-term to long-term memory involves encoding information. The longer a memory stays in the short-term memory the more likely it is to be placed in the long-term memory. In this process, the meaningfulness or emotional content of an item may play a greater role in its retention in the long-term memory.
Journal
Write a short paragraph reflecting on what you learned today about Short-Term Memory. How can understanding STM help you in your daily life, especially in learning and retaining information? Save this reflection in your journal.
Task 4
Welcome to our fourth lesson on the Multi-STore Model of Memory! Today we will be exploring the process of encoding. This is the process of moving information from your short-term or working memory into your long-term memory.
Key Points
Memory encoding allows information to be converted into a construct that is stored in the brain indefinitely; once it is encoded, it can be recalled from either short- or long-term memory.
The three primary types of encoding are visual, acoustic and semantic (you will come across other types but these are the three you need to know about).
Encoding of memories in the brain can be optimised in a variety of ways, including mnemonics, chunking and state-dependent learning.
Research indicates that sleep is of paramount importance for the brain to encode information into accessible memories; it is posited that during sleep, our working memory is encoded into long-term memory.
Watch
Encoding Strategies by Khans Academy
Journal
Write the heading 'Encoding' and add definitions for:-
rehearsal
chunking
self-referencing
spacing
mnemonic devices
Memory encoding allows information to be converted into a construct that is stored in the brain indefinitely. Once it is encoded, it can be recalled from either short or long-term memory. If thinking about a computer, encoding is like saving a file which can then later be retrieved.
The process of encoding begins with perception - the identification, organisation and interpretation of any sensory information in order to understand it within the context of a particular environment. Stimuli are perceived by the senses, and related signals travel to the thalamus of the human brain, where they are synthesised into one experience. The hippocampus then analyses this experience and decides if it is worth committing to long-term memory.
Encoding is achieved using chemicals and electric impulses within the brain. Neural pathways, or connections between neurons (brain cells), are actually formed or strengthened through a process called long-term potentiation, which alters the flow of information within the brain. In other words, as a person experiences novel events or sensations, the brain "rewires" itself in order to store those new experiences in memory.
Journal
Think about a time when you tried to memorize something important, such as studying for an exam. What strategies did you use to encode the information? Write a brief description of your experience in your journal or notes and add any study techniques identified to the list you made in task 1.
Research
I want you to go and research the relationship between sleep and memory encoding. How does sleep affect the process and how do we know? Summaries what you have found in your journal.
Task 5
Today, we will explore Long-Term Memory (LTM), its types, characteristics, and the processes that help store information for long periods.
Key Points
Long-term memory is the final, semi-permanent stage of memory; it has a theoretically infinite capacity and information can remain there indefinitely. What are the strengths and limitations of this case study?
Long-term memories can be categorised as either explicit or implicit memories.
Explicit memories - facts, concepts and events that must be recalled consciously.
Explicit memories - either semantic (abstract, fact-based) or episodic (based on a specific event).
Implicit memories are procedures for completing motor actions.
Watch
The following videos both cover long-term memory but in different ways. Watch both, making notes on anything important.
Longterm Memory by Psychexamreview
So according to the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model, if memories in the short-term store are rehearsed, they will be encoded into the long-term store. The long-term store has a capacity and duration so large it is without any known limit, and it stores memories even if they are not actively recalled. However, our understanding of the long-term store has progressed as you have seen in the videos above. The long-term store is not a single 'storage box' but rather three for storing different types of memories.
We will explore these developments further when discussing The Working Memory Model, Schema Theory and Levels of Processing Theory. For now, you need to understand how the Multi-store Model of Memory views long-term memory and that this model was the basis for further research and development. To reinforce the model and what you have learned so far watch the Tricky Topics by FirstYearPysch.
Infographic
Write the title 'Long-term Memory' in your journal. Create an infographic describing and comparing short-term memory to long-term memory. The video 2. The Multi Store Model of Memory by Psychobabble may be useful.
Journal
Write definitions for explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory giving examples of each.
Task 6
Welcome to our sixth lesson on the Multi-Store Model of Memory! Today we are going to learn about the case of HM and how it relates to our understanding of memory.
Thinking Prompt
What would life be like if you could no longer form new memories? How might this affect your daily life, relationships, and sense of self? Jot down some ways that you think your life would be changed.
Key Points
Memories are not stored everywhere(globally) in the brain, there is localisation of function (key finding).
The hippocampus is essential for memory formation and storage.
Watch the TEDed video What Happens When you Remove Your Hippocampus? and Henry Molaison by Neuroeverything.
Reading Assignment
Read the article on Themantic Education's website.
Journal
Write the title 'Case Study - HM'.
Write a brief summary of the HM case ensuring you include what specific memory deficits did HM experienced and which types of memory were affected and which were preserved.
What does this tell us about the role of the hippocampus in memory and how does it demonstrate localisation of brain function?
What are the ethical considerations involved in this case?
Watch
Claire Neeson's The Case of HM and the MSM. Work through the lesson completing any activities in your journal.
Use the internet to find out about the case of Clive Wearing. Like HM his case supports the localisation of brain function.
Task 7
Welcome to our fifth lesson on the Multi-Store Model of Memory! Today, we'll look again at encoding and explore storage, and retrieval. These processes allow information to move from Short-Term Memory to Long-Term Memory and back, enabling us to store and access the information we need.
Watch
Watch The Processes of Memory by Mr Ting and How Does Memory Retrieval Work by Brainbook.
Journal
Write the title 'Memory Processes'.
Create a mindmap, write a paragraph or make an infographic to explain the three processes - encoding, storage and retrieval.
Draw an annotated diagram of neurons that explains how they are involved in memory.
Get to know your brain by making a Brain hat
Task 8
Welcome to our final learning lesson on the Multi-store Model of Memory! Today we will be focusing on the strengths and limitations of this model.
Key Points
When discussing the strengths and weaknesses of this model there are three key points you need to focus on:-
Linear Structure: Information passes through a linear sequence from sensory input to the long-term memory store.
Separate Stores: Each memory store is distinct in terms of capacity, duration, and encoding.
Rehearsal Mechanism: Rehearsal in short-term memory is essential for transferring information to long-term memory.
Journal
Write the title 'Strengths and Weaknesses' in your journal.
Give yourself 5 mins. to jot down some strengths or weaknesses that you can think of yourself.
Empirical Support
Since this was the first model to distinguish between short and long-term memory you can imagine a lot of research has been conducted into this claim.
Some of the strongest supportive evidence comes from research into the serial position effect. Two important studies to know are those carried out by Glanzer and Cunitz, 1966 and Murdock, 1962. The HM case study also provides evidence for distinct stores as HM had an impaired long-term memory and intact short-term memory.
Watch
Murdocks Serial Position Effect Curve by Flipping Psychology.
Journal
Use the resources below and the videos above to complete a GRAVE evaluation for both of these studies.
Theoretical Support
The MSM provides a straightforward and easy-to-understand framework for explaining how memory works. By breaking down memory into three distinct stages (Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory), the model offers a clear way to conceptualise the flow of information in the mind. Its simplicity makes it an effective teaching tool. Students and researchers can easily grasp the basic concepts of memory storage and retrieval, which makes it a useful starting point for those new to the study of memory. The predictability, due to the linear flow, allows for the development of hypotheses about memory and learning that can be experimentally tested.
Usefulness
The Multi-Store Model of Memory's emphasis on rehearsal as a key mechanism for transferring information to long-term memory has influenced educational practices, such as the use of repetition and review in learning. The model also supports the development of mnemonic devices and other memory aids that capitalise on the processes outlined in the model.
By laying out a clear model, Atkinson and Shiffrin’s model encouraged further research into memory, leading to a deeper and more refined understanding of cognitive processes. It remains a foundational model on which we can build a more complex and nuanced understanding of memory.
Weaknesses
Critical evaluation is a core skill you will be developing across the course. At a basic level, it involves stating what is good about a theory and what is bad about a theory, its strengths and weaknesses. As you progress, you will learn how to identify strengths and weaknesses yourself and synthesise them into an evaluation. The Multi-Store Model of Memory is such a foundational theory in psychology with so much supportive evidence that it is a difficult first model to evaluate.
Watch
Evaluating MSM by Bear it in Mind
Reading Assignment
Read Themantic Educations Limitations of the MSM.
Journal
Create a table of strengths and weaknesses for the Multi-Store Model of Memory.
Task 9 - Round-up
Watch
Multi-store Model by Psychboost
Print out and complete 2.1-2.8 of the following worksheets.
Complete the Whole unit quiz
Assessment
Complete the assessment questions. They are not designed to worry you or make you feel like you do not know enough. They are designed to give you practice recalling information, understanding it, translating your knowledge into a written answer and assessing what you need to work on. These are complex skills that will continue developing. If you find the assessment activities difficult please check out the advice in the unit called Assessment Help. DO NOT read the answer sheet before you attempt the questions.
Remember to mark off the sections you have covered on your scheme of work once you have finished. Also, add a contents list to your cover page and draw a smiley yellow face if you have a good understanding of this unit, an orange neutral face if you get some of it but not all of it and a red sad face if you really did not understand the material in the unit. You can look back on this in your revision and target areas you found more difficult.
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