Evaluation of the
Multi-Store Model of
Memory
PSYA1
Lesson 5
Starter
What do you think are the strengths
and weaknesses of the multi-store
model?
Discuss this with your neighbour and
write down one strength and one
weakness
Learning Objective
 To be able to evaluate the multi-store model of
memory, giving strengths and weaknesses of the
model.
Success Criteria
1. Make notes about the weaknesses of the MSM
by using pages 26-27 of the textbook.
2. Watch a video of Clive Wearing and analyse to
see how it supports MSM.
Challenge Criteria Consider why the MSM
lacks validity.
3. Complete a set of practice questions on the
MSM.
Strengths
+ The model was influential as it was one of
the early models of memory.
+ Differences between STM and LTM are
identified and separated, along with the
sensory store.
+ Serial position effect – shows the existence
of STM and LTM.
+ When there is a model it can be tested.
Clive Wearing
 You will watch a short video about Clive Wearing.
 Create a postcard case study of Clive.
 You should include an image of the multi-store
model and what elements of the model do not exist
or are broken in Clive’s memory.
 Interesting websites related to other case studies:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Wearing
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_(patient)
Video – Clive Wearing
Weaknesses
 You will need to use the textbook (page 26-27) to
make some notes on the evaluation of MSM.
 There are so many weaknesses to choose, but you
need just three to do well in the exam. Read
through page 26-27 and see if you can make a
note of three weaknesses, each in 30 words or
less!
 Can you include Clive Wearing?
Weaknesses
 You will need to use the textbook (page 26-27) to
make some notes on the evaluation of MSM.
 There are so many weaknesses to choose, but you
need just three to do well in the exam. Read
through page 26-27 and see if you can make a
note of three weaknesses, each in 30 words or
less!
 Can you include Clive Wearing?
Weaknesses
 KF
 Motorcycle accident
 Brain damaged
 Difficulty with verbal STM but not with visual STM
 This suggests that STM is not a single store like MSM
suggests
 Another issue is that we cannot study before and after of
brain damaged patients – the trauma could cause the
change, not that the brain itself changed.
Weaknesses
 Transfer may be possible to LTM without rehearsal
 Craik & Tulving (1975) suggested that the processing was
more important than the rehearsal. They found 3 types of
processing:
• Shallow processing (‘are there any capital letters?’)
• Phonemic processing (‘does the word rhyme with train?’)
• Semantic processing (‘is the word a type of fruit?’)
 Found that deeper processing leads to enhanced memory.
 Does STM actually come first?
 Logie (1999) said that STM actually relies on LTM.
 Ruchkin (2003) found more activity in the brain with real words
than pseudo-words, suggesting that STM is actually a part of
LTM.
 Working memory model works on this criticism.
Quick Check
Can you still label this diagram?
Maintenance
Rehearsal
Retrieval
Environmental
stimuli
Sensory
Memory
Attention
Short-term
Memory
Information
Retrieval
Elaborative
Rehearsal
Long-term
Memory
Practice Elaboration
 Evaluate the multi-store model of memory (6 marks)
(1) One strength of the
MSM is...
Give some evidence or
an example
Link back...
(2) One weakness of the
MSM is...
Give some evidence or
an example
Link back...
Validity
 The research on the MSM lacks validity – it is done
using semantic memory and doesn’t account for
other types of memory.
 The research used college students aged 18-21
and these may have different memories to other
groups and perhaps are more intelligent.
 The experiments were mostly in a lab which could
involve demand characteristics and experimenter
bias, but as the experiment was in a lab all the
extraneous variables could be controlled, knowing
the IV really did influence the DV.
Practice questions
1. Distinguish one difference between STM and LTM
as suggested by the multi-story model of memory.
(3 Marks)
2. Describe the multi-store model of memory. (6
Marks)
3. Outline two weaknesses of the MSM. (2 Marks)
4. Using the MSM, outline the processes involved in
storing and retrieving material in LTM. (4 Marks)
Extension
 Outline and evaluate the multi-store model of
memory. (12 Marks)
Complete page 12 of your
booklet researching KF
Due: next lesson