The Multi-Store Model of Memory

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The Multi-Store Model of Memory

To fully grasp retrieval practice, we need to have a contextual understanding and awareness of the distinction between the different types of memory: predominantly, short-term and long-term memory.

The multi-store model of memory

A good starting point for understanding the key differences between short-term memory (also referred to as 'working memory') and long-term memory is the multi-store model of memory by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin.
They proposed that memory consisted of three stores.

1) The sensory store

The first is the sensory store, where new information is encoded.
- Subsequently, in the learning process, we begin at the attention and encoding stage. But it’s important to note that this is not the only stage in the learning process, it’s just the beginning.

2) The short-term memory

Information is then passed on to the second store: the short-term memory.
- When we encounter new material, the information is stored for a very brief time in our short-term memory. This is because the capacity (how much information) and duration (how long we can store it) of our short-term memory is very limited.
The length of time information can be stored in our short-term memory can vary between individuals - from a few seconds to a few minutes.

The duration of working memory

Peterson and Peterson (1959) investigated the duration of working memory and the various factors that cause working memory to decay.
- They concluded that almost all information stored in short-term memory and not rehearsed is lost within 18 to 30 seconds!
That is alarming when we consider the implications for that in the classroom and this emphasises the importance of repeated exposure to content, concepts, vocabulary and skills.

3) The long-term memory

Finally, if information has been rehearsed and retained beyond short-term/working memory then it is then stored in what is known as our long-term memory.
- But it is not enough to be able to store that information in our long-term memory – we need to be able to retrieve it from there too.