The Multi-Store Model of Memory: A Simple Guide for AQA A Level Psychology

The multi-store model of memory was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). It suggests that memory is made up of three separate stores:

  • Sensory Memory

  • Short-Term Memory (STM)

  • Long-Term Memory (LTM)

Information flows between these stores in a fixed, linear sequence, depending on attention and rehearsal.

This model is one of the first and most influential explanations of how human memory works, making it a core topic in psychology A level.

The Structure of the Multi-Store Model

According to Atkinson and Shiffrin, information moves through the system as follows:

Environmental Stimuli → Sensory Memory → Short-Term Memory → Long-Term Memory

Each store differs in terms of:

  • Coding (how information is stored)

  • Capacity (how much can be stored)

  • Duration (how long it lasts)

1. Sensory Memory

Sensory memory is the first stage of the memory process.

Key Features:

  • Coding: Modality-specific (depends on the sense used, e.g. visual or auditory)

  • Capacity: Very high

  • Duration: Less than half a second

Sensory memory briefly holds incoming sensory information. If we pay attention, the information passes into short-term memory. If not, it decays very quickly.

Examples include:

  • Iconic memory (visual)

  • Echoic memory (auditory)

2. Short-Term Memory (STM)

Short-term memory is a temporary storage system that holds information we are actively thinking about.

Key Features:

  • Coding: Mainly acoustic (sound-based)

  • Capacity: 5–9 items

  • Duration: Around 18 seconds

If information is not rehearsed, it is lost through decay or displacement.

Supporting Research:

  • Miller (1956) suggested that STM has a capacity of 5–9 items, known as the magic number 7 ± 2.

  • Peterson and Peterson (1959) found that without rehearsal, information in STM is lost after about 18 seconds.

3. Long-Term Memory (LTM)

Long-term memory is a permanent store for information that has been rehearsed.

Key Features:

  • Coding: Mainly semantic (meaning-based)

  • Capacity: Practically unlimited

  • Duration: Potentially a lifetime

Supporting Research:

  • Bahrick et al. (1975) found that participants could recall classmates’ names even after 48 years, supporting the idea that LTM duration can be lifelong.

The Role of Rehearsal

Rehearsal plays a key role in transferring information from STM to LTM.

Maintenance Rehearsal

Repeating information to keep it in STM.

Elaborative Rehearsal

Linking new information to existing knowledge, which leads to stronger and more durable long-term memories.

Craik and Watkins (1973) argued that elaborative rehearsal is more important than simple repetition, which challenges the model’s heavy focus on maintenance rehearsal

Evaluation of Multi-Store Model

Serial Position Effect – Glanzer & Cunitz (1966)

Participants recalled words from the start (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of a list best. This supports the idea of separate STM and LTM stores, as early words were rehearsed into LTM, while later words were still in STM.

Case Study of KF

KF suffered brain damage and experienced severely impaired STM but relatively intact LTM. This supports the idea that STM and LTM are separate systems, although his preserved visual STM suggests STM may be more complex than the model proposes.

Baddeley (1966) – Coding

Baddeley found that STM relies mainly on acoustic coding, while LTM relies mainly on semantic coding, supporting the model’s distinction between memory stores. 

Strengths

✔ Strong research support
Studies into coding, capacity, and duration provide strong evidence for separate memory stores.

✔ Introduced key concepts
The model laid the foundations for later research and more complex memory models.

Limitations

✘ Over-simplistic
Research into patients like KF suggests STM is not a single store, leading to the development of the Working Memory Model.

✘ Rehearsal explanation is limited
Some information enters LTM without rehearsal, while some heavily rehearsed material is not retained, questioning the model’s explanation of memory transfer. 

✘ Low ecological validity
Much research relies on artificial tasks such as memorising word lists, which may not reflect real-life memory.

Why This Topic Is So Important for AQA A Level Psychology

The multi-store model of memory is a core topic and frequently appears in:

  • A level psychology predictions

  • 8-mark explain questions

  • 16-mark essay questions

  • Comparison questions

You may be asked to:

  • Outline the model

  • Describe the features of each store

  • Apply the model to real examples

  • Evaluate the theory

Want Extra Support With Memory?

If you find structured, step-by-step revision helpful, my AQA A Level Psychology workbooks include guided activities to help you properly understand and apply topics like the multi-store model of memory.