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Memory Models and Cognitive Processes

The Multi-Store Model (MSM) Flow

Proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), the MSM views memory as a flow of information through three distinct stores:

1

Sensory Register

Very large capacity, extremely brief duration (milliseconds to 2 seconds). Modality-specific coding (iconic, echoic, etc.).
2

Short-Term Memory (STM)

Limited capacity (7 ± 2 items), 18-30s duration without rehearsal. Mainly acoustic coding.
3

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

Theoretically unlimited capacity and duration (from minutes to a lifetime). Mainly semantic coding.

STM Capacity and Rehearsal

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Wait, what keeps information in the STM store?
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Maintenance rehearsal keeps info in STM. Elaborative rehearsal is needed to transfer info to LTM.

Types of Long-Term Memory

Tulving (1972) identified three types of LTM with distinct functions and differences in brain location and retrieval processes:

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Episodic Memory

Stores personal experiences and specific events linked to time and place (autobiographical). Requires conscious effort to recall.
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Semantic Memory

Stores factual knowledge about the world, concepts, meanings, and general knowledge. Less tied to time or place.
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Procedural Memory

Stores knowledge of how to perform skills or tasks, especially motor skills. Recalled automatically without conscious awareness.

Working Memory Model (WMM) Components

Developed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) as a more detailed explanation of STM, focusing on active processing.

1

Central Executive (CE)

The control system that directs attention and allocates resources. Limited capacity and is modality-free.
2

Phonological Loop (PL)

Deals with verbal and auditory information. Subdivided into the phonological store and articulatory control process. Codes acoustically.
3

Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad (VSS)

Handles visual and spatial information. Limited capacity (about 3-4 objects). Codes visually.
4

Episodic Buffer (Later Addition)

Integrates information from CE, PL, VSS, and LTM into a coherent sequence. Temporary storage (~4 chunks).

Forgetting: Interference Types

Forgetting occurs when similar memories interfere with recall.

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Proactive Interference Old memories disrupt new learning (Old info blocks New). Example: Old phone number prevents learning a new one.
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Retroactive Interference New memories disrupt old ones (New info blocks Old). Example: Learning a new address causes forgetting the old one.

Retrieval Failure: The Principle

Memory Retrieval Success ∝ Availability of Cues
Encoding Specificity Principle (Tulving): Retrieval is most effective if cues (Context-dependent or State-dependent) available at encoding are also available at retrieval.

EWT Factor: Misleading Information

Leading Questions and Recall

Leading Questions, phrased to suggest a desired answer, can distort recall. Loftus and Palmer (1974) demonstrated this: using the verb "smashed" resulted in significantly higher reported speed estimates than verbs like "hit."

EWT Factor: The Role of Anxiety

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Anxiety Influence: Anxiety can affect attention and memory during crimes. It may enhance memory for central details but impair peripheral details. High anxiety may also lead to tunnel vision or impaired recall.

Improving EWT: The Cognitive Interview (CI)

A systematic method (Fisher and Geiselman, 1992) designed to enhance memory recall and reduce reconstructive errors.

1

Report Everything

Encourage reporting all details, even if they seem trivial.
2

Context Reinstatement

Recreate the mental and physical environment of the event.
3

Recall from Different Perspectives

Mentally recreate event from different viewpoints.
4

Recall in Reverse Order

Recall events backward to avoid reconstructive errors.
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Memory Models & Eyewitness Testimony Deck
Question
Multi-Store Model of Memory

Who proposed the Multi-Store Model of Memory (MSM)?

Answer
Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968)

The MSM was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968.

Question
MSM - Stores

What are the three stores in the MSM?

Answer
Sensory Register, STM, LTM

Sensory Register, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory (LTM).

Question
Sensory Register

What is the duration and capacity of the Sensory Register?

Answer
Duration & Capacity

Very brief duration (milliseconds to 2 seconds) and large capacity.

Question
STM Coding

How is information coded in Short-Term Memory?

Answer
Acoustic Coding

Information in STM is mainly coded acoustically (sound-based).

Question
STM Capacity

What limits Short-Term Memory capacity?

Answer
7 ± 2 items

Capacity is about 7 ± 2 items, known as Miller’s Law.

Question
STM to LTM Transfer

How is information transferred from STM to LTM?

Answer
Elaborative Rehearsal

Information transfers via elaborative rehearsal.

Question
Types of LTM

What are the three types of Long-Term Memory?

Answer
Episodic, Semantic, Procedural

Episodic, Semantic, and Procedural memory.

Question
Episodic Memory

What does episodic memory store?

Answer
Personal Experiences

Stores personal experiences with contextual details.

Question
Semantic Memory

Which memory type involves knowing facts and concepts?

Answer
Facts & Concepts

Semantic memory involves knowing facts and concepts.

Question
Procedural Memory

What is the main role of procedural memory?

Answer
Skills & Tasks

Storage of skills and tasks performed automatically.

Question
Working Memory Model

Who developed the Working Memory Model (WMM)?

Answer
Baddeley & Hitch (1974)

Developed by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974.

Question
Central Executive

What is the Central Executive in WMM?

Answer
Control System

Directs attention and cognitive resources.

Question
Phonological Loop

What is the function of the Phonological Loop?

Answer
Auditory Processing

Processing auditory and verbal information.

Question
Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad

What does the Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad handle?

Answer
Visual & Spatial Info

Handles visual and spatial information.

Question
Episodic Buffer

What is the Episodic Buffer's function?

Answer
Information Integration

Integrates info from CE, PL, VSS, and LTM into a coherent sequence.

Question
Proactive Interference

Define proactive interference.

Answer
Old disrupts New

Old memories disrupt new learning.

Question
Retroactive Interference

Define retroactive interference.

Answer
New disrupts Old

New memories disrupt old memories.

Question
Retrieval Failure

What principle explains retrieval failure?

Answer
Encoding Specificity Principle

Encoding Specificity Principle by Tulving.

Question
Leading Questions

What are leading questions in eyewitness testimony?

Answer
Suggestive Questions

Questions that suggest a desired answer, distorting recall.

Question
Cognitive Interview

Name the four key techniques in the Cognitive Interview.

Answer
Key Techniques

Report Everything, Context Reinstatement, Recall from Different Perspectives, Recall in Reverse Order.

Tip: Tap a card to flip. Shuffle or Reset anytime.

🧠 Cognitive Psychology Quiz

1. Who proposed the Multi-Store Model of Memory?

Atkinson and Shiffrin introduced MSM in 1968 describing memory as three stores.

2. Which store in the MSM has the shortest duration?

Sensory register holds information for milliseconds to 2 seconds.

3. What type of coding primarily occurs in STM?

STM mainly codes information acoustically even for visual input.

4. Which of the following memory types stores skills like riding a bike?

Procedural memory is responsible for motor skills and automatic tasks.

5. What is the role of the Central Executive in the Working Memory Model?

The CE handles attentional control and task coordination.

6. Which of these is NOT a key technique in the Cognitive Interview?

Maintenance rehearsal is a memory technique in STM, not part of the CI.

7. Proactive interference is best described as:

Proactive interference makes new info harder to learn due to old info.

8. Which principle states that memory retrieval is best if cues at encoding are present during recall?

Tulving’s principle explains retrieval failure without cues.

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