Evaluation of the Multi-Store Model of Memory

PSYA1

Lesson 5

What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the multi-store

model?

Discuss this with your neighbour and write down one strength and one

weakness

Starter

Learning ObjectiveTo be able to evaluate the multi-store model of

memory, giving strengths and weaknesses of the model.

Success Criteria

1. Make notes about the weaknesses of the MSM by using pages 26-27 of the textbook.

2. Watch a video of Clive Wearing and analyse to see how it supports MSM.

Challenge Criteria Consider why the MSM lacks validity.

3. Complete a set of practice questions on the MSM.

Strengths

+ The model was influential as it was one of the early models of memory.

+ Differences between STM and LTM are identified and separated, along with the sensory store.

+ Serial position effect – shows the existence of STM and LTM.

+ When there is a model it can be tested.

Clive Wearing

You will watch a short video about Clive Wearing. Create a postcard case study of Clive. You should include an image of the multi-store

model and what elements of the model do not exist or are broken in Clive’s memory.

Interesting websites related to other case studies:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Wearinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_(patient)

Video – Clive Wearing

Weaknesses

You will need to use the textbook (page 26-27) to make some notes on the evaluation of MSM.

There are so many weaknesses to choose, but you need just three to do well in the exam. Read through page 26-27 and see if you can make a note of three weaknesses, each in 30 words or less!

Can you include Clive Wearing?

Weaknesses

You will need to use the textbook (page 26-27) to make some notes on the evaluation of MSM.

There are so many weaknesses to choose, but you need just three to do well in the exam. Read through page 26-27 and see if you can make a note of three weaknesses, each in 30 words or less!

Can you include Clive Wearing?

Weaknesses

KFMotorcycle accidentBrain damagedDifficulty with verbal STM but not with visual STMThis suggests that STM is not a single store like MSM

suggestsAnother issue is that we cannot study before and after of

brain damaged patients – the trauma could cause the change, not that the brain itself changed.

Weaknesses

Transfer may be possible to LTM without rehearsalCraik & Tulving (1975) suggested that the processing was more

important than the rehearsal. They found 3 types of processing:• Shallow processing (‘are there any capital letters?’)• Phonemic processing (‘does the word rhyme with train?’)• Semantic processing (‘is the word a type of fruit?’)

Found that deeper processing leads to enhanced memory.Does STM actually come first?

Logie (1999) said that STM actually relies on LTM.Ruchkin (2003) found more activity in the brain with real words

than pseudo-words, suggesting that STM is actually a part of LTM.

Working memory model works on this criticism.

Quick Check

Can you still label this diagram?

Environmental stimuli

Sensory Memory

Short-term Memory

Long-term Memory

Attention

Retrieval

Elaborative Rehearsal

Information Retrieval

MaintenanceRehearsal

Practice Elaboration

Evaluate the multi-store model of memory (6 marks)

(1) One strength of the MSM is...

Give some evidence or an example

Link back...

(2) One weakness of the MSM is...

Give some evidence or an example

Link back...

Validity

The research on the MSM lacks validity – it is done using semantic memory and doesn’t account for other types of memory.

The research used college students aged 18-21 and these may have different memories to other groups and perhaps are more intelligent.

The experiments were mostly in a lab which could involve demand characteristics and experimenter bias, but as the experiment was in a lab all the extraneous variables could be controlled, knowing the IV really did influence the DV.

Practice questions

1. Distinguish one difference between STM and LTM as suggested by the multi-story model of memory. (3 Marks)

2. Describe the multi-store model of memory. (6 Marks)

3. Outline two weaknesses of the MSM. (2 Marks)

4. Using the MSM, outline the processes involved in storing and retrieving material in LTM. (4 Marks)

Extension

Outline and evaluate the multi-store model of memory. (12 Marks)

Complete page 12 of your booklet researching KF

Due: next lesson