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The Multi-Store Model (MSM) of Memory

Foundational Theory Overview

The Core Argument (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)

The Multi-Store Model (MSM) of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), is a foundational theory explaining how memory works by dividing it into three distinct structures or stores: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). Each store has unique features related to how information is coded, how much information it can hold (capacity), and how long the information can last (duration).

The Three Memory Stores

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Sensory Memory

Initial stage that briefly holds raw sensory input from the environment.
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Short-Term Memory

Holds information temporarily for active use. Acts as a workspace.
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Long-Term Memory

Stores information more permanently. Retrieval requires effort.

Sensory Memory Characteristics

Sensory memory is the initial stage that briefly holds raw sensory input. Examples include Iconic (Visual, ~0.5s) and Echoic (Auditory, 2-4s) memory.

1

Coding

Raw sensory data, usually modality-specific (visual info coded visually, auditory info coded acoustically).
2

Capacity

Very large; it holds an exact copy of all sensory input but only for a few seconds.
3

Duration

Extremely brief; about 0.5 seconds for visual and up to 2-4 seconds for auditory information.

Sensory memory allows us to experience a continuous flow of sensations and prevents the loss of sensory stimuli before it is processed further.

Short-Term Memory (STM) Limits

If sensory input is attended to, it passes into short-term memory (STM), which holds information temporarily for active use.

Capacity ≈ 7 ± 2 chunks
The limited capacity of Short-Term Memory. The duration is also very short: about 15-30 seconds without rehearsal. To remember longer, rehearsal is required.

Coding: Mostly acoustic, even for visual information (e.g., people tend to 'hear' information in their mind).

Long-Term Memory Key Features

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LTM stores information more permanently and is much larger than STM.

  • Capacity: Potentially unlimited.
  • Duration: Can last a lifetime.
  • Coding: Primarily semantic (by meaning) rather than acoustic or visual.

Primacy and Recency Effects

The serial position effect is a phenomenon where the position of information in a list affects how well it is recalled. It is evidence supporting different memory stores.

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Primacy Effect (LTM Link)Better recall of items at the beginning of a list. This happens because these items are rehearsed more and thus are more likely to be transferred to LTM.
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Recency Effect (STM Link)Better recall of items at the end of the list. These items are still in STM at the time of recall, so they are accessible.

Items in the middle tend to get less attention and rehearsal, so they are recalled less well.

Murdock’s Serial Position Curve (1962)

Murdock tested the serial position effect by presenting participants with lists of words and asking them to recall as many as possible immediately after.

Item Position Recall Outcome
First Items Recalled well Primacy (LTM)
Last Items Recalled well Recency (STM)
Middle Items Recalled poorly Low Rehearsal

This pattern, the serial position curve, provides strong evidence for the existence of separate memory stores, as predicted by the multi-store model.

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Multi-Store Model of Memory Deck
Question
Stores of the Multi-Store Model

What are the three stores in the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

Answer
Stores

Sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).

Question
Iconic Memory Duration

How long does iconic memory last?

Answer
Duration

About 0.5 seconds.

Question
Coding in STM

What type of coding is most common in short-term memory?

Answer
Coding Type

Acoustic coding.

Question
STM Capacity

What is the typical capacity of short-term memory?

Answer
Capacity

About 7 ± 2 chunks of information.

Question
STM Duration without Rehearsal

How long can information last in short-term memory without rehearsal?

Answer
Duration

Approximately 15-30 seconds.

Question
Coding in LTM

What type of coding is primarily used in long-term memory?

Answer
Coding Type

Semantic coding (by meaning).

Question
LTM Capacity

What is the capacity of long-term memory?

Answer
Capacity

Potentially unlimited.

Question
Primacy Effect

What is the primacy effect in memory recall?

Answer
Effect

Better recall of items at the beginning of a list due to rehearsal and transfer to LTM.

Question
Recency Effect

What is the recency effect in memory recall?

Answer
Effect

Better recall of items at the end of a list because they remain in STM.

Question
Murdock’s 1962 Study

What did Murdock’s (1962) serial position curve study demonstrate?

Answer
Finding

It showed primacy and recency effects, providing evidence for separate memory stores.

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🧠 Memory Store Quiz

1. Which memory store holds information for the shortest duration?

Sensory memory retains raw sensory data for only milliseconds to a few seconds.

2. What type of coding predominates in short-term memory?

STM primarily codes information acoustically, even for visual material.

3. The capacity of short-term memory is approximately:

STM can hold about 7 chunks of information, plus or minus 2, without rehearsal.

4. Why do people recall the first items in a list better?

Early list items get more rehearsal, allowing transfer to long-term memory.

5. What does Murdock’s serial position curve study support?

The serial position effect shows distinct recall patterns explained by separate memory stores (STM and LTM).

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
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  • Memory
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