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Case Studies relating to the Multi Store Model of Memory.

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Introduction

Case Studies The multi store model is the process of long term and short term memory. It explains what each type of memory is. Short term memory is memories which are less important, while Long term memory is memories which are very important. In a case study, nearly every aspect of the person's life and history is analyzed to search for patterns and causes for behaviour. The hope is that learning gained from studying one case can be generalized to many others. On the other hand, laboratory experiments are carried out in a laboratory where variables are controlled. Therefore it does not apply to the real world, which means that it has a low ecological validity. The case studies relating to the multi-store model are Clive Wearing and HM case studies. Clive Wearing contracted a virus in 1985; the virus attacked an area of the brain crucial for memory, which left him, leaving with amnesia. He has no memory of any event or memory in his life. Clive Wearing can remember: - * his wife not his children or any other family members * how to play the piano - but he is unaware of it * key numbers and names ...read more.

Middle

A case study is a study of a individual therefore it will be about that individual only however, the information found from one case study can be used to find out information about another case study which is similar to that case study. For example - the case study of Clive Wearing and HM are similar because they are both related to the multi store model therefore both case studies can be used to collect more information. Case studies can be trusted because it is a study of a individual therefore they will know what's happened to them and other information which makes the findings useful and trustworthy. The laboratory experiments which have been conducted have supported the multi store model because the cause and effect can be determined and that there is good control over the variables. The experiments I have looked at are the experiments carried out by Glanzer and Cunitz, and by Sperling. Sperling's experiment consisted of three rows with four letters in each row, he presented this to a group of participants for fifty milliseconds. After the participants were asked to report as many letters from the display as they could. ...read more.

Conclusion

As the experiment takes place in a laboratory, the experiment does not relate to the variables that exist in the real world which shows the lack of external validity. The experimenter creates a artificial nature to give the participants a feeling of the environment which the experiment is related to. Laboratory experiments can be tested again in the future to make sure the data found before were correct and to add further information to it; however, as the participants are told what the experimenter is experimenting for they might try to please the experimenter (demand characteristics). This means that the results are likely to be biased. In conclusion, I agree that case studies provide better evidence for the multi-store model than laboratory experiments because they have a high ecological validity and provide a detailed article of how the individual felt, what caused the individual problems, where it happened, what was affected and other information. Laboratory experiments have a low ecological validity therefore it does not relate to the real world. Also the artificial nature the experiment is carried out in, the environment is made up which means that it doesn't relate to real life. This means that case studies provide better evidence for the multi-store model. ?? ?? ?? ?? 18-10-2010 ...read more.

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