Memory models

Question 1

Describe the short term sensory store of Atkinson and Shiffren’s multi-store memory model?

Answer 1

• holds information for up to 1 second
• sensory stimuli/info are passed into and briefly stored in the STSS

Question 2

How does selective attention moves sensory information into the STM?

Answer 2

Filters relevant information into the short term memory and irrelevant information is lost or forgotten

Question 3

Describe the short term store of Atkinson and Shiffren’s multi-store memory model?

Answer 3

• has a limited capacity of around 7 items
• duration of up to 30 seconds
• working memory space where info from the STSS and LTM are received and brought together

Question 4

How does chunking hold information in the STM?

Answer 4

Different pieces of similar information can be grouped together and remembered as one piece of information

Question 5

Describe the long term store of Atkinson and Shiffren’s multi-store memory model?

Answer 5

• relevant info from the LTM can be retrieved into the STM for decision making
• limitless capacity and duration of retention
• well learned and rehearsed movement skills from the STM will eventually be stored in the LTM
• contains well learnt permanently coded info collected from past experiences

Question 6

What are advantages of the multi store memory model?

Answer 6

• simplifies the memory process
• explains how those with memory damage may have dysfunctional memory or amnesia

Question 7

What are disadvantages of the multi store memory model?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is Craik and Lockhart’s levels of processing approach?

Answer 8

• explains how memory works
• opposes view there’s set memory stores
• explains what we do with info rather than how it’s stored
• meaning of info is more relevant than repetition

Question 9

When will info received from the brain be transferred into the LTM?

Answer 9

• considered
• understood
• has meaning (past memories)

Question 10

What are the three levels related to the processing of verbal information and their level of processing?

Answer 10

structural = paying attention to what words look like (shallow)

Phonetic = processing words and sounds

Semantic = considering the actual meaning of words (deepest)

Question 11

What is a sporting example of Craik and Lockhart’s levels of processing model?

Answer 11

Gymnastic coach explains why it is important to tuck in a somersault to ensure there is greater rotation

Performer is more likely t understand why the tuck is important and therefore remember it

Question 12

What are advantaged of the levels of processing model?

Answer 12

• explains that if we understand information we’re more likely to remember it
• explains that the longer we consider and analyse info the more we remember

Question 13

What are disadvantages of the levels of processing model?

Answer 13

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