Memory models

Question 1

What 3 stages does Atkinson and Shiffrens multi-store memory model consist of

Answer 1

1. STSS - short term sensory store
2. STM - short term memory
3. LTM - long term memory

Question 2

STSS - short term sensory store

Answer 2

• a limitless memory store for holding info for about 1 second
• viewed as a subdivided part of the STM
• streams of info are passed into and stored very briefly
• selective attention selects relevant stimuli in the STSS and directs them into the STM. Irrelevant stimuli are lost

Question 3

STM - short term memory

Answer 3

• ‘a working memory space’ - info from the STSS and LTM are received and brought together
• has a limited capacity to store info for around 7 items
• info held for as long as attention is held
• limited to the amount of time info can be stored 1 min of less
• can be held through a process called ‘chunking’ = groups of info chucked together and remembered as on

Question 4

LTM - long term memory

Answer 4

• contains well learned, retained and permanent coded info collected over past experiences
• limitless in capacity and length of retention
• well learnt and rehearsed movement skills from STM will eventually be stored in LTM as motor programmes
• relevant info from the LTM can be retrieved into STM workspace to be used for comparison

Question 5

State 2 advantages of the multi-store memory model

Answer 5

• simplifies the memory process
• explains how those with brain damage may have a dis functional memory or amnesia

Question 6

State 2 disadvantages of the multi-store memory model

Answer 6

• too simplified - doesn’t explain why we remember different sorts of info
• doesn’t prove the distinction between STM and LTM and doesn’t explain the interaction between the STM and LTM

Question 7

What is Craik and Lockhart levels of process model used to explain

Answer 7

It seeks to explain what we do with information rather than how it is stored. Meaning of info is more relevant than repetition

Question 8

What 3 things mean info received by the brain will be transferred into the long term memory

Answer 8

1. Considered
2. Understood
3. Has meaning - is related to past memories

Question 9

How much info is considered is called the depth of processing. The deeper the info is processed, the longer the memory trace (when brain cells retain/store info) will last. State the 3 levels related to the processing of verbal info

Answer 9

1. Structural level - paying attention to what words look like
2. Phonetic level - processing words and sounds
3. Semantic level - considering the actual meaning of words (deepest level of processing)

Question 10

State 2 advantages of the levels of processing model approach

Answer 10

• explains that if we understand info, we are more likely to remember it
• explains that the longer we consider and analyse info, the more we remember it

Question 11

State 3 disadvantages of the levels of processing model approach

Answer 11

• the longer it takes to process info doesn’t always lead to better recall
• it is difficultly to know what deep processing involves
• it doesn’t take into account individual differences

Question 12

State the 6 ways in which our memory can be improved

Answer 12

1. Rehearsal
2. Meaningfulness
3. Association
4. Avoiding overload
5. Organising info
6. Mental imagery