Models of Memory: Multistore & Levels of Processing
📘 7.2 Models of Memory: Multistore & Levels of Processing
Understanding how memory works involves studying theoretical models that explain the flow, processing, and storage of information. Two important models in this regard are:
- The Atkinson-Shiffrin Multistore Model
- Craik and Lockhart’s Levels of Processing Model
🧱 I. The Multistore Model (Atkinson & Shiffrin, 1968)
📌 A. Key Idea
Memory consists of three sequential stores:
- Sensory Memory
- Short-Term Memory (STM)
- Long-Term Memory (LTM)
Information passes from one store to another through attention, encoding, and rehearsal.
🔄 Flow Diagram
Sensory Input
↓
[ Sensory Memory ]
→ (Attention)
↓
[ Short-Term Memory ]
→ (Rehearsal)
↓
[ Long-Term Memory ]
← (Retrieval)
🧠 Store-Wise Explanation
| Store | Duration | Capacity | Process | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Memory | < 1 second | Large | Attention | Seeing a flash of light |
| Short-Term Memory | 15–30 sec | 7 ± 2 items | Rehearsal | Remembering a phone number |
| Long-Term Memory | Unlimited | Unlimited | Encoding/Retrieval | Facts from NCERT, life events |
🔍 Indian Example
- UPSC aspirant’s workflow:
- Sees a fact in a PDF (Sensory Memory)
- Reads aloud and repeats it (STM with rehearsal)
- Encodes via mind-mapping or recall (LTM)
✅ Criticism
- Too linear – fails to explain why we remember emotionally significant events without rehearsal.
- Doesn’t address levels or quality of encoding.
🔬 II. Levels of Processing Model (Craik & Lockhart, 1972)
📌 A. Key Idea
Memory depends on the depth at which information is processed, not just which store it enters.
“Deeper processing → Better retention”
🧠 Levels
| Level | Type of Processing | Example | Memory Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shallow | Structural (what it looks like) | Recognising a word’s font style | Weak |
| Intermediate | Phonemic (what it sounds like) | Rhyming word pairs | Moderate |
| Deep | Semantic (what it means) | Relating word to personal experience | Strong |
🔄 Example Breakdown
Word: “Democracy”
- Shallow: Does it have the letter “D”? → low recall.
- Intermediate: Does it rhyme with “bureaucracy”? → medium recall.
- Deep: What are its core values? → high retention.
🧑🏫 Classroom Example
- Shallow: Rote memorizing Article 14.
- Deep: Connecting Article 14 with real-life cases like Navtej Johar (LGBTQ rights) or EWS reservation – this leads to longer retention.
🏛️ Relevance to UPSC & Governance
| Model | Application in Governance or Education |
|---|---|
| Multistore Model | Design of e-learning apps – flow from exposure to testing to revision. |
| Levels of Processing | Value-based learning for civil services – deeper encoding via ethics case studies, real-life law applications. |
📝 Answer Writing Strategy
- Intro: Define what memory models are and why they matter.
- Body: Explain both models with diagrams, flowcharts, examples.
- Use UPSC-prep relevant analogies (e.g., current affairs to LTM via analysis).
- Conclusion: Emphasise depth of understanding over rote recall.
🧠 Summary Table
| Feature | Multistore Model | Levels of Processing Model |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Memory structure (stores) | Depth of encoding |
| Key processes | Attention, rehearsal | Semantic analysis |
| Explains strong memory? | Only through rehearsal | Through meaning-based encoding |
| Limitation | Over-simplified | Ignores role of memory stores |
