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Support for Multi-store model of memory - Coggle Diagram
Support for Multi-store model of memory
Glanzer and Cunitz (1966) The Serial Position Effect
Aim
To investigate whether STM and LTM are different memory stores.
Procedure
Participants were given a list of common words to memorise. They were then asked to recall as many as possible.
Results
Participants remembered more words on average from the beginning (primacy effect) and the end (recency effect) of the list than the middle.
Conclusion
Participants remember more words from the beginning of the list because they had been transferred by rehearsal to the LTM.
Words at the end of the list were still in the STM.
Words in the middle were forgotten because of the limited capacity of the STM.
This supports the theory that the MSM that STM and LTM are separate stores.
Evaluation
Strengths
Reliable - easy to replicate
Practical application for improving memory of important information.
Limitations
Lacks ecological validity - not how we use memory in everyday life.
Milner et al (1966) - Case Study on Epilepsy Patient HM
HM suffered from severe epilepsy. He underwent surgery. However, the surgery went wrong and destroyed his hippocampus, leaving him with severe anterograde amnesia. This meant he was unable to make any new memories.
Aim
To investigate anterograde amnesia.
Method
A case study using numerous psychometric tests, experiments and observations.
Results
HM did have the ability to learn new motor skills so his procedural memory was intact. But he could not make new episodic or semantic memories. He had a working memory as he was able to hold conversation. His issue was that his STM and LTM were no longer connected.
Conclusion
Cases of brain damage, such as HM, support the distinction between LTM and STM.
Damage to the hippocampi destroys LTM and leaves patients trapped in a world of experiences which only lasts as long as their STM.
Evaluation
Strengths
In depth and detailed
Limitations
Cannot generalise from a case study
Korsakoff's syndrome
Chronic alcoholics sometimes develop Korsakoff's syndrome, which cases brain damage.
However, it has little effect on STM, but severely impairs LTM. This suggests that STM and LTM are stored in different areas of the brain. This provides further evidence to support the multi-store model of memory.
Limitations of the MSM of memory
It is likely that there is more than one type of STM.. Certain types of brain damage show deficits with different areas of STM. Similarly, LTM has more than one type.
What is rehearsal? The model suggests maintenance rehearsal as a way of practicing and maintaining memories. However, rehearsal can also be elaborative - building on what you already know.
It is unlikely that memory is linear. It is more likely to be interaction between the memory stores, as suggested by the working memory model (WMM).