Lecture on the Multi-Store Model of Memory

Introduction

• Part three of a series exploring the multi-store model of memory
• Previous videos covered the structure, processes, coding capacity, and duration
• Current focus: Evaluation of the multi-store model

Supporting Evidence for the Multi-Store Model

Primacy and Recency Effect

• Primacy Effect: Items at the beginning of a list are recalled because they are transferred to long-term memory with rehearsal.
• Recency Effect: Items at the end of a list are recalled because they are still in short-term memory.
• Middle items are often forgotten, indicating limited short-term memory capacity.
• Demonstrates separate stores for short-term and long-term memory.

Case Study of Patient HM

• Patient HM suffered from epilepsy after a childhood bicycle accident.
• Surgery removed parts of the brain (including the hippocampus), reducing epilepsy but impacting memory.
• HM could not form new long-term memories but retained short-term memory abilities.
• Supports the idea of separate stores for short-term and long-term memory.

Criticisms of the Multi-Store Model

Artificial Tasks in Lab Experiments

• Research often involves tasks not representative of everyday memory use.
• Example: Peterson and Peterson's trigram study with counting backwards is atypical.
• Results may lack ecological validity, limiting generalization to real-world settings.

Oversimplification of Long-Term Memory

• The model treats long-term memory as a single entity.
• Further research identifies multiple components:
  • Procedural Memories: Actions and motor skills (e.g., tying shoelaces).
  • Episodic Memories: Personal experiences (e.g., last birthday).
  • Semantic Memories: Knowledge and facts (e.g., capital of Sweden).
• Model's lack of detail undermines comprehensive explanation of memory.

Oversimplification of Short-Term Memory

• Evidence suggests multiple components in short-term memory.
• Case Study of KF:
  • Motorcycle accident led to impaired verbal short-term memory.
  • Visual short-term memory relatively unaffected.
  • Suggests existence of verbal and visual components in short-term memory.

Conclusion

• Limitations suggest the multi-store model is not a complete explanation of memory.
• Upcoming exploration of the working memory model, emphasizing different short-term memory components.
• Encouragement to watch the next video in the series.