The Multi-Store Model
Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) presented a theoretical framework of memory known as the multi-store model (MSM). The MSM consists of three unitary stores: the sensory register (SR), short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). According to Atkinson and Shiffrin, information is passed from one store to the next in a linear way.
Â
Each of the stores has its own characteristics in terms of coding, capacity and duration.
Coding refers to the way in which information is stored and processed in a memory store.
Capacity refers to the amount or quantity of information held in a memory store.
Duration refers to the length of time information is held within a memory store.
According to the MSM, information enters the SR from the outside world via the senses. The SR codes information from all five senses and is said to be modality-specific. It has an unlimited capacity and a duration of approximately 250 milliseconds. Through the process of attention, information is passed to the STM store. The STM store codes information acoustically; has a capacity of 7+/-2 chunks of information, and a duration of 18-30 seconds. Through the process of rehearsal, information is transferred to the LTM store. The LTM store codes information semantically (through meaning); it has a supposedly unlimited capacity, and a lifetime duration. Through the process of retrieval, information can be taken from the LTM store to the STM store, where it can be used.
Exam Hint: There is a wealth of research examining the MSM and it is useful to have an overview of several studies that support the different features of the model. Table 1 summarises the key features of the model and highlights five different studies that can be used to support those features. Each of these studies will be examined below.
