Proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) the multi store model (MMS) attempts to explain how declarative (conscious) memories are stored. The model suggests that memory is comprised of three main stores; sensory, short term (STM) and long term (LTM). Information is initially detected by the sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose and tongue) and enters the sensory store. If the information gets attention it is transferred into STM. From this store the information must be rehearsed in order for it to progress to the LTM. Each store has a distinct capacity (how much information can be stored) and duration (how long information can be stored. Miller (1956) suggests capacity is seven plus or minus two, he also proposed a method called chunking. By grouping information together it becomes one unit of information therefore allowing much more to be memorised, a classic example of this is remembering phone numbers in sequences of five letters, followed by two lots of three. In terms of duration Peterson and Peterson (1959) found that, through prevention of rehearsal, the STM has a limited time it can hold information if not rehearsed. Using trigrams and prevention by reverse counting it was concluded that the average duration was 0 - 18 seconds before the information was lost through what is known as trace decay. Trace decay is a form of forgetting whereby information that is not rehearsed before the duration has elapsed fades away. One issue with this theory is it is difficult to test for as it is impossible to create a definitive ‘blank space’ between information given and recall, individuals will automatically rehearse information when given to them. Another criticism of trace decay is that it does not explain how individuals can vividly remember events from years before without having to rehearse: If information does decay over time why is this the case?
The MMS provides distinction between STM and LTM in terms of duration and capacity and can account for primary and...