Atkinson and Shiffrin Atkinson and Shiffrin – –

Multi store Model of Multi store Model of MemoryMemory

1960’s1960’s

Memory storage in three separate Memory storage in three separate but interacting systemsbut interacting systems

SensoryRegister

Short termMemory Store

Long termMemory Store

External Stimulus

Forgetting ForgettingForgetting

Attentio

n

Stora

ge

Response

Internal Stimulus

Retrieval

Maintenance Rehearsal

Sensory RegisterSensory Register Refers to information detected by the sensory Refers to information detected by the sensory

receptors which is retained temporarily in the sensory receptors which is retained temporarily in the sensory registerregister

Only able to momentarily hold accurate imagesOnly able to momentarily hold accurate images Images are held long enough for relevant details to be Images are held long enough for relevant details to be

attended to and transferred to STMattended to and transferred to STM Info that isn’t attended to – the memory trace decays Info that isn’t attended to – the memory trace decays

& disappears& disappears Function – to briefly hold sensory informationFunction – to briefly hold sensory information

There is a possibility that information may bypass the There is a possibility that information may bypass the Short –Term Store & go directly to the Long-Term Store, Short –Term Store & go directly to the Long-Term Store, but Atkinson & Shiffrin didn't explain how or why this but Atkinson & Shiffrin didn't explain how or why this may occur.may occur.

Structural Features Structural Features (of Atkinson Shiffrin Model)(of Atkinson Shiffrin Model)

Permanent, built in, fixed features of memoryPermanent, built in, fixed features of memory

- 3 different memory stores3 different memory stores

- Storage capacity of each storeStorage capacity of each store

- Function of each storeFunction of each store

- Duration each can hold information Duration each can hold information

Likened to the hard drive of the computerLikened to the hard drive of the computer

Control Processes Control Processes (of Atkinson Shiffrin (of Atkinson Shiffrin Model)Model)

Conscious control by the individualConscious control by the individual

- Attention to incoming infoAttention to incoming info

- Rehearsal of informationRehearsal of information

- Retrieval Strategy used Retrieval Strategy used

Likened to the person using the computerLikened to the person using the computer

Limitations of the Limitations of the Atkinson-Shiffrin modelAtkinson-Shiffrin model

Refer to Pgs 294-5 of your text. Refer to Pgs 294-5 of your text.

What are the three main limitations What are the three main limitations of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model? Give of the Atkinson-Shiffrin model? Give a example or how each is now a example or how each is now believed to be different. believed to be different.

Divisions of Sensory Divisions of Sensory MemoryMemoryIconicIconic VisualVisual Briefly held 0.3secBriefly held 0.3sec Very large capacityVery large capacity No additional No additional

processingprocessing Limited by individuals Limited by individuals

field of visionfield of vision

EchoicEchoic AuditoryAuditory Briefly held Briefly held

3-4sec3-4sec Very large capacityVery large capacity No additional processingNo additional processing Limited by individuals Limited by individuals

range of hearingrange of hearing What? When watching What? When watching

TV processing delayTV processing delay

Loss of Sensory Loss of Sensory InformationInformation

Caused by both interference and decayCaused by both interference and decay Is faster when stimulus is quickly followed by Is faster when stimulus is quickly followed by

anotheranother Information not passed to STM Information not passed to STM

To store information in STMTo store information in STM We must focus our We must focus our attentionattention on a stimulus or on a stimulus or

mental event, thereby shutting out competing mental event, thereby shutting out competing stimulistimuli

AttentionAttention

SensoryRegister

Short-termMemory

Selective Attention filters information to pass into STM for processing

Input

Information that is not attended to is lost (Pseudoforgetting)

Short Term Short Term MemoryMemory

Also known as Working MemoryAlso known as Working Memory

Allows you to manipulate information contained Allows you to manipulate information contained in the Sensory or LTMin the Sensory or LTM

Very susceptible to interruption or interferenceVery susceptible to interruption or interference

Small amounts of information can be processedSmall amounts of information can be processed

Short-term MemoryShort-term Memory

Capacity approx. 7+ 2 bits of info (Miller 1956)This can be expanded by “chunking” info into larger units

Duration Approx. 18 – 20 sec (Peterson et al, 1959)See p304 for explanation.

Processing To hold info in STM, often encoded verbally, other strategies, such as visualisation, may be used, making it possible to “rehearse’ the info.

Digit-span testDigit-span test

A measure of attention and short-term A measure of attention and short-term memory which tests the recall of a series memory which tests the recall of a series of digitsof digits

7 7 ++ 2 chunks 2 chunks

RehearsalRehearsal

Is a process that enables info to be held in STM for a Is a process that enables info to be held in STM for a long period of timelong period of time

Info can be copied from STM to LTM during rehearsalInfo can be copied from STM to LTM during rehearsal 2 types2 types1.1. Maintenance rehearsalMaintenance rehearsal

Is the overt or covert repetition of informationIs the overt or covert repetition of information Fine for retaining info in STM but will not always lead to Fine for retaining info in STM but will not always lead to

LTMLTM

2.2. Elaboration rehearsalElaboration rehearsal Info is actively analysed for its physical, sensory or Info is actively analysed for its physical, sensory or

semantic (meaning featuressemantic (meaning features

RehearsalRehearsalSensoryRegister

Short-termMemory

Input

Information that is displaced through distraction is lost

Rehearsal is required to process information in STM

Remember the numberRemember the number

0011 44 1523 329197

0011441523329197

ChunkingChunking

One way to increase the storage capacity One way to increase the storage capacity of STMof STM

Grouping of single units of info into Grouping of single units of info into higher order unitshigher order units

Consolidation TheoryConsolidation Theory

Information is gradually and only under Information is gradually and only under certain circumstances transferred from STM certain circumstances transferred from STM to LTMto LTM

This takes place after rehearsalThis takes place after rehearsal

Physical changes to the neurons in the brainPhysical changes to the neurons in the brain

Consolidation Theory Consolidation Theory cont’ cont’

Hebb (1949)Hebb (1949) Assumes that processing continues after rehearsal and Assumes that processing continues after rehearsal and

ends if interrupted and the ends if interrupted and the memorymemory trace will be lost trace will be lost Information being remembered is vulnerable for about Information being remembered is vulnerable for about

30 minutes30 minutes If processing interrupted then consolidation does not If processing interrupted then consolidation does not

occuroccur if consolidation is prevented, the material can never if consolidation is prevented, the material can never

be recalledbe recalled

Processing Information Processing Information into into

Long-Term MemoryLong-Term Memory

EncodingEncoding SensoryRegister

Short-termMemory

Long-term Memory

Input

Information that is not encoded properly is lost

Successful encoding transfers information into LTM

Retrieval of information enhances elaboration

ConsolidationConsolidation SensoryRegister

Short-termMemory

Long-term Memory

Input

If consolidation is disrupted, Information can be lost

Memory stabilises (consolidates) over time

Baddeley & Hitch(1974)Baddeley & Hitch(1974) STM provides temporary storage for the STM provides temporary storage for the

manipulation of the information necessary for manipulation of the information necessary for complex taskscomplex tasks Language comprehensionLanguage comprehension LearningLearning ReasoningReasoning Problem solvingProblem solving

Information can come from Sensory Memory or Information can come from Sensory Memory or LTMLTM

Divided into 3 sub-componentsDivided into 3 sub-components

Long-Term Memory

Central

Executive

Central ExecutiveCentral Executive

Most important . “Executive supervisor”Most important . “Executive supervisor” Very activeVery active Responsible for selection, initiation and Responsible for selection, initiation and

termination of processingtermination of processing Multi-taskingMulti-tasking Integrates information from the other 2 Integrates information from the other 2

subsystems with information retrieved subsystems with information retrieved from LTMfrom LTM

Visuospatial SketchpadVisuospatial Sketchpad

Temporary storage and manipulation of Temporary storage and manipulation of visual and spatial informationvisual and spatial information

Phonological Loop Phonological Loop (articulatory loop)(articulatory loop)

Responsible for storing sound / speech Responsible for storing sound / speech based infobased info

Stores a limited number of sounds for a Stores a limited number of sounds for a limited period of timelimited period of time

Episodic BufferEpisodic Buffer In 2000, Baddeley decided that the model didn’t explain In 2000, Baddeley decided that the model didn’t explain

how working memory linked with LTMhow working memory linked with LTM He added a He added a fourthfourth component - Episodic Buffer component - Episodic Buffer This is assumed to be a limited capacity system that This is assumed to be a limited capacity system that

enables the different components of working memory to enables the different components of working memory to interact with the LTM and holds info:interact with the LTM and holds info:

- TemporarilyTemporarily

- In any formIn any form

- About 4 chunks About 4 chunks

Episodic BufferEpisodic Buffer Baddeley (2000)Baddeley (2000)

Central Executive

Episodic Buffer

Visuo-Spatial

Sketchpad

Phonological Loop

Visual Episodic LanguageSemantics LTM

Refer to Pg 319 of your textRefer to Pg 319 of your text

What do the words “episodic” & “buffer” What do the words “episodic” & “buffer” refer to?refer to?

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels “Levels of Processing”of Processing” Framework Framework

Craig & Lockhart argued against the Craig & Lockhart argued against the theories that centred around memory theories that centred around memory having different storage systems that having different storage systems that memories flow throughmemories flow through

Their theory stresses the depth or level Their theory stresses the depth or level that new information is processed at.that new information is processed at.

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

C & L believed that the way we process C & L believed that the way we process information will impact our LTM of that information will impact our LTM of that information information

Semantic EncodingSemantic Encoding: The information is : The information is process according to meaning. process according to meaning.

There is a continuum of encoding:There is a continuum of encoding: Shallow: Info retained only brieflyShallow: Info retained only briefly Deeper: Info retained longerDeeper: Info retained longer

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

Shallow Processing: Shallow Processing: Viewing the stimulus in a Viewing the stimulus in a superficial way / looking at only superficial superficial way / looking at only superficial visual details. visual details.

Eg Remembering words. Does it have an ‘i’ in Eg Remembering words. Does it have an ‘i’ in it?it?

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

Medium Processing: Medium Processing: Attending to the acoustic Attending to the acoustic details of the word. Saying it out aloud. details of the word. Saying it out aloud.

Eg What does the word rhyme with?Eg What does the word rhyme with?

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

Deep Processing: Deep Processing: Attending to the personal Attending to the personal meaning of the word. Does it apply to you? meaning of the word. Does it apply to you?

Eg Does the word describe me? Eg Does the word describe me?

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

(Insert pic of graph of levels of (Insert pic of graph of levels of processing) processing)

Craik & Lockhart’s Craik & Lockhart’s “Levels of “Levels of Processing”Processing” Framework cont’ Framework cont’

Criticism of the Craig & Lockhart TheoryCriticism of the Craig & Lockhart Theory

- Level or depth is difficult to measureLevel or depth is difficult to measure

Look at Look at this this picture picture for 30 for 30 secondsseconds

1. What is the colour of the girls dress?1. What is the colour of the girls dress?

2. Where are the girls arms?2. Where are the girls arms?

3. Is the cat looking to it’s right or it’s left?3. Is the cat looking to it’s right or it’s left?

4. How may red flower ‘spikes’ are there?4. How may red flower ‘spikes’ are there?

5. What is the colour of the girls hair?5. What is the colour of the girls hair?

6. How many stripes are there on the bottom 6. How many stripes are there on the bottom of the girls dress?of the girls dress?

Eidetic MemoryEidetic Memory

Also known as “photographic Also known as “photographic memory”.memory”.

Ability to recall an exact visual image Ability to recall an exact visual image that persists over time – days / weeks.that persists over time – days / weeks.

Happens most in childhood, less as Happens most in childhood, less as teenagers, rarely as adults. teenagers, rarely as adults.