Models of Memory

1
Models of Memory

• Attempt to give a systematic account of the
  structure and functioning of memory
• Tend to be sketchier than full theories, hence
  models
• The multistore model (Atkinson Shiffrin)
• The levels of processing approach (Craik
  Lockhart)

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2
Multistore Model
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3
Multistore Model

• The model contains a number of testable
  propositions
• Memory consists of two separate stores
• Information is transferred from STM to LTM by
  rehearsal
• STM and LTM are unitary stores that cannot be
  subdivided

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4
Two Separate Stores

• Glanzer Cunitz (1966) serial position
  experiments show that STM is affected by
  interference tasks but LTM is not
• Milner (1966) and other cases studies of brain
  injury patients suggest that it is possible to
  damage STM but leave LTM intact (and vice versa)

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5
Rehearsal and Info Transfer

• Hyde and Jenkins (1973) demonstrated incidental
  learning
• PPs were able to recall info later even though
  they had made no conscious effort to learn the
  material
• The amount recalled depended on how the PPs had
  processed info, not how long they rehearsed it for

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6
Unitary Stores

• Baddeley (1973) showed that PPs can combine
  several STM tasks successfully provided they use
  different sensory modalities suggests several
  different stores
• Tulving (1972) suggests that LTM can be divided
  into episodic, semantic and procedural
  components, which may be stored separately

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7
Evaluation of Multistore

• Influential early model that stimulated lots of
  further research
• Best support for idea that STM LTM are separate
  stores
• In other respects an oversimplification of memory
  processes

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