Theories of Memory - Describing

Theories of Memory

Describing the Multi Store Model of Memory (or MSM)

This process describes the memory as having three stores which are:

-          

Sensory Register (the sense organs)

-          Short Term Memory (STM)

-          Long Term Memory (LTM)

The Model:

For the exam you will be asked to describe this theory for roughly 5 marks in which you should aim to make five points using examples where possible.

Points should include:

-          What is the Multi store mode of memory (what are the three stores?)

-          The capacity of the stores

o   The capacity of the STM is 5-9 items (average = 7), we can increase this by chunking information.

o   The capacity of the LTM is unlimited.

-          The duration of the stores

o   Duration of the STM is 30 seconds

o   Duration of the LTM is unlimited

-          And that MSM encourages maintenance rehearsal (repetition) as a method of transferring information from the STM to the LTM to create long lasting memories.

KEY ISSUE APPLICATION: Says students will revise better through repeating what they are trying to remember in order for better recall of information in the exam.

Describing the Levels of Processing Theory

This theory states that there are three levels in which information can be processed into our long term memory. They are:

1.       Phonetic – based on what something sounds like

2.       Structural – processing based on how something looks (shallowest)

3.       Semantic – processing based on what something means (deepest)

The deeper the form of processing the easier the recall of information.

Says that elaborative rehearsal should be used rather than MSM’s maintenance rehearsal. Elaborative Rehersal is where information is transferred more effectively from the STM to the LTM through understanding the meaning of something rather than repeating what you are trying to store in your long term memory.

In order to answer a question which wants you to describe the levels of processing theory you should aim to cover these points:

-          That there are three levels of processing
-  What these levels are using an example to demonstrate how they work. (for example I would remember going to a place when I was younger by remembering how the beach looked)

KEY ISSUE APPLICATION: Helps students revise because it says that understanding the meaning of something will help you remember it better = elaborative rehearsal