1. Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)
The Multi Store Model
Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)
STM
LTM SM
Attention
Rehearsal
Forgetting
Non- Attention
Decay
Failure to retrieve
Incoming Sensory Information
SM = Sensory Memory/Register
STM = Short Term Memory
LTM = Long Term Memory

2. Key words
Changing incoming information (new memory) so that it can be stored
Holding information in the memory system
Recovering (remembering) information from storage

3. Potentially limitless 3 – 18 seconds
Semantic
Temporal
Visual
Auditory
Less than a second
Potentially limitless
3 – 18 seconds
Potentially limitless
5% of all sensory input
7±2 items
Chunking
Displacement
Decay
Decay and interference
Lack of attention

4. Evaluation of Multi Store Model
Terry’s (2005) research into Serial Position Effect shows the effects of decay and displacement, highlighting the existence of more than one memory store The model is oversimplistic (reductionist). Tulving says there could be more than one type of LTM. Overemphasises rehearsal – not everything has to be rehearsed to go into LTM. Case studies like Clive Waring – have LTM but no STM due to a virus that attacked his brain – evidence for the different stores. Can be tested scientifically in lab experiments. Korsakoff’s syndrome (chronic alcoholism) still have STM but no LTM – evidence of different stores in the model.

5. Evaluation PEEL P
The Multi-Store Model is reductionist. This is because it over simplifies the complex human behaviour of memory into 3 distinct store, the sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory. Tulving argues that there is more than one type of long term memory, he says there is semantic and episodic long term memory. This highlights the simplicity of the multi-store model which only talks about one type of memory. However, being reductionist allows the MSM to be studied scientifically in a lab experiment, showing that being reductionist can be a strength of the model too. E E L