Multi Store Model MSM) by Navnita Karmakar

What is the Multi-store model?

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 01:51:09 UTC

The multi-store model of memory is a linear model that shows the basic structure of memory, first proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). This model argues that there are separate locations for how information is stored, memory processes are sequential, and each store of memory operates in a single, uniform way. This model contains three stores: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. The sensory memory is where information is stored when information is sent from our five senses. The sensory memory would be modality specific; it would only be able to store information for up to 1-2 seconds. The information would then move to the short-term memory, which can store up to 7+/-2 chunks of information for around 30 seconds. Information must be rehearsed or it will be lost. Lastly, the information left in the short-term memory would then move to the long-term memory, which has an infinite capacity and duration if information is being retrieved regularly. If the information is not retrieved regularly then the information may decay or forgotten.

Sensory memory

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 01:52:25 UTC

Sensory memory is where the information received from the five senses is stored. This information would only last for 1-2 seconds, and when we pay attention, the information would move to the short-term memory.

Example: Tasting good food, and you remember that this restaurant sells good food, so you know that you will return again

Short-term memory

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 01:53:12 UTC

Short-term memory is where 7+/- 2 chunks of information from sensory memory enter and are stored for around 30 seconds. If the information is rehearsed, it would move to long-term memory. However, if the information is not rehearsed, then the information might be lost or displaced.

Example: Being introduced to someone at a party, and seeing them a few hours later at KFC, and not being able to remember their names

Long-term memory

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 01:54:00 UTC

Long-term memory is where the information goes to from the short-term memory if the information was rehearsed. Long-term memory has an infinite capacity and duration if the information is retrieved periodically. However, if the information is not retrieved regularly, then the information may decay or be forgotten.

Example: Learning how to ride a bike at a young age, but not riding the bike for a few years, my body still remembers how to ride a bike

Multi-store model of memory

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 01:55:34 UTC

Background information

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 02:24:12 UTC

At the age of 7, Henry Molaison (HM) was hit by a cyclist and suffered from a head injury. Epileptic attacks started at the age of 10, and until 27 years old he was unable to live a normal life as medication was unable to help him, these epileptic attacks and seizures were assumed that it was caused by the accident when he was 7 years old. Henry underwent surgery which removed tissues from his temporal lobe and the hippocampus.

Post-surgery

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 02:38:06 UTC

Brenda Milner studied HM throughout his life until he died in 2008. When Milner visited HM after his surgery, he had forgotten all of the daily events and even the name of Brenda Milner, whom he had just been introduced to. However, HM was able to recall his childhood memories very well. HM's retrograde amnesia had been improving; by 1968, HM was only struggling to remember events one year before his surgery. HM did suffer from anterograde amnesia; he was unable to recognize the faces of the people he met after his surgery.

Summary

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 04:57:49 UTC

Milner gave HM psychometric tests, such as IQ tests, and his results were above average. Additionally, HM was observed, and interviews were conducted with him and his family. He was also required to do memory recall tests, learning tasks, and undergo an MRI scan. HM was unable to acquire new episodic knowledge or semantic knowledge, suggesting that the parts of the brain which was removed was significant for the transfer of information from the short-term memory to long-term memory. Researchers found that HM was able to draw the floor plan of his new home, suggesting that spatial memory may not have been associated with semantic knowledge or episodic knowledge. Furthermore, HM had a capacity for working memory as he was able to carry a conversation with people, and HM's memories in the form of motor skills also remained intact as he still remembers how to mow the lawn. Lastly, HM underwent an MRI scan so Milner could see the extent of the damage done to HM's brain, damage was seen done to the temporal lobe and the hippocampus, but the severity of the damage was less than anticipated.

Linking to MSM

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 05:07:47 UTC

As the hippocampus was in charge of transferring information from the short-term memory to long-term memory, damage to the hippocampus has impacted HM's ability to form new long-term memories, but he was able to store information in his short-term memory (he was able to recall a number). The case study of HM was able to be used as evidence that the short-term memory and long-term memory are two different systems, and could be used to back up the multi-store model. HM was able to recall events before the surgery, showing that his long-term memories were still intact, even though the formation of new long-term memories were impaired.

Strengths

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 05:12:10 UTC

- There is significant research to support this theory/model that suggests there are separate stores for memories for both experimental research (Glanzer and Cunitz (1966)) and biological case studies of patients with brain damage (HM: Milner (1966))

- This model allows psychologists to be able to talk about memory and the researches which were based on this model

Limitations

ivy_vuong — 2025-06-23 05:16:30 UTC

- The Multi-store model is over-simplified, and it is assumed that each of the stores (sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory) works as an independent unit

- This model is unable to explain memory distortion (when our brain creates false memories or changes the existing ones)

- The model does not explain why some events/memories could be learned with minimal rehearsal

- This model would also not be able to explain why some events/memories are rehearsed several times, but it would not be transferred to the long-term memory