IB Psychology Models of Memory Notes

Models of Memory: Information flows through three distinct stages

1. The cognitive approach uses models to explain how memory works, treating the mind as an information processor.
2. These models do not claim to show exactly what happens inside the brain.
3. Instead, they are simplified representations that help us understand the stages, stores, and processes involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
4. The IB syllabus focuses on two key models: the multi-store memory model and the working memory model.

The Multi-Store Model: Three stores, three different jobs

1. The multi-store memory model (MSM) was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968).
2. It proposes that memory consists of three separate stores, and information flows through them in a fixed sequence.
3. Sensory register
   1. Receives all incoming sensory information (visual, auditory, tactile).
   2. Extremely large capacity but very short duration: less than one second for visual information, a few seconds for auditory.
   3. Only information that receives attention transfers to short-term memory; all other information decays.
4. Short-term memory (STM)
   1. Holds a limited amount of information (around 7 ± 2 items, according to Miller) for about 18-30 seconds.
   2. Information is maintained through rehearsal (repeating it mentally or aloud).
   3. Without rehearsal, information is lost through decay or displacement.
   4. Sufficient rehearsal transfers information to long-term memory.
5. Long-term memory (LTM)
   1. Potentially unlimited capacity and can store information for a lifetime.
   2. Information is encoded primarily through meaning (semantic encoding).
   3. Retrieval brings information back from LTM to STM for use.