Example answers - multi store model of memory

Outline and evaluate the multi-store model of memory. (12 marks)

Answer One: Atkinson and Shiffrins multi-store model suggests that

long-term memory and short-term memory are like hypothetical
stores of information. They believe that memory has three stages;
sensory memory, short-term and long-term memory. Information
first enters sensory memory where it undergoes encoding and then
transfers to short-term memory. Once there its rehearsed or verbally
repeated in order to undergo further encoding before being
transferred to long-term memory, otherwise it will decay.

A big aspect of the model was rehearsal; information cant reach

long-term memory unless its rehearsed. The more its rehearsed,
the longer the memory will be as the trace becomes stronger.

The model has been criticised as lacking ecological validity because

the evidence for the model comes mainly from laboratory based
experiments using meaningless verbal data.

Its also criticised as being simplistic; the model assumes that both
short and long term memory consist of individual stores made up of
one component each, but research into the working memory model
has demonstrated that short-term memory possibly consists of
different components.

Peterson and Petersons research supports the role of rehearsal.

They found that when groups of participants were asked to recall
words from a list, but were prevented from rehearsing them by
having to count backwards in threes, recall dropped from 80% after
a three second interval, to 20% after an eighteen second interval,
suggesting that rehearsal is necessary to embed information in the
LTM. This therefore shows a strength of the model in its views on
rehearsal. (245 words).

Examiners comments Nazmas first paragraph gives an outline of the

model, which lacks some detail, but is generally accurate. A description of
STM and LTM would have been a good idea, as would have the role of
attention. Some of the material is repeated, such as the role of rehearsal.
Nazma begins her evaluation with a point about ecological validity and
although this term is not fully explained, she does relate why it could be an
issue for the model. The second critical point about the simplicity of the model
is well explained and her knowledge of the working memory model is used
effectively as evaluation here. The final point about rehearsal is clearly
explained and has a decent degree of elaboration. Overall, both strengths
and weaknesses have been considered, a reasonable commentary is evident
and
a narrow range of issues has been considered in greater depth.
Marks: AO1 4/6 + AO2 6/6 = 10/12

Answer Two: Atkinson and Shiffrin designed the multi-store model of

memory. They said that sensory stimuli entered the sensory
memory first and was held for a very brief period, about 0.3 of a
second. After that it is coded and enters short-term memory and is
stored for a short time. It may be lost due to displacement here.
Later on it is transferred to long-term memory where it can be lost
due to decay.
Its strength is that it has research support, for instance studies of
brain damaged patients show that some people lose short-term
memory, whilst others lose their long-term memory.

A limitation is that the Multi-store model doesnt show the difference

between visual and audio memory. Its also challenged by the levels
of processing model. (125 words)

Examiners comments: Gwens outline is accurate and relevant, but lacks

detail. Perhaps she could have discussed the processes involved in transfer
of material and/or some of the details of the separate stores, such as how
information is coded. Gwen makes a few evaluative points based on
strengths and weaknesses, but none of them are very clearly elaborated or
form an effective commentary. For instance she could have gone on and
explained in what way the level of processing approach challenges the model
and maybe provided some evidence in support of this point.
Marks: 4/6 + 3/6 = 7/12
Example three: The multi store model of memory, proposed by
Atkinson and Shiffrin, suggests that memory is made up of three
separate stores; sensory memory, short term memory and long term
memory. These stores are different in terms of duration (how long
information can be stored for), encoding (the way that they store
information) and capacity (the amount of information they can
hold). For example, STM has a duration of less than 30 seconds, and
is usually encoded acoustically (by sound), whereas LTM has an
unlimited capacity and is usually encoding semantically (by
meaning).

Although information in sensory memory is processed via the five

senses, this model suggests that STM and LTM are unitary
meaning that there is only one type of STM and one type of LTM. The
model also says that information is processed through memory in a
linear fashion; in other words, it must enter memory through the
sensory store, where it must be paid attention to in order to be
transferred to STM. Information in STM can only be passed to LTM if
it is rehearsed.

A strength of this model is that it was the first model of memory and
has generated a lot of further research. There is also support for the
idea that STM and LTM are separate stores. For example, Clive
Wearing was unable to make new short term memories after
suffering brain damage, but his LTM was largely unaffected.

One limitation of the model is that the case of Clive Wearing does
not support the idea that LTM is unitary because, although he is
unable to remember facts from his LTM (such as the A level subjects
his children took), he is still able to play the piano. This shows that
there must be at least two different types of LTM.

A further limitation is that the model suggests that information can

only be transferred from STM to LTM via rehearsal, but sometimes
we are able to remember information we have not rehearsed. For
example, if the information is especially meaningful to us. (309
words)

How many marks would you give this example?