The multi-store model

The multi-store model

1. The Atkinson and Shiffrin model

   • Three stores: Sensory memory, short term memory (STM) and long term memory (LTM).
   • Information passes through each store in a fixed sequence, and there are capacity and duration limits at each stage.
   • External stimuli -> sensory memory -> registered for brief periods of time (less than two seconds - Sperling) before decaying or if attended to passed onto the STM. STM only contains 7 +- 2 items in active use
   • Info encoded acoustically
   • Memory traces in STM very fragile can be lost within 30 seconds if not rehearsed
   • Memory that is rehearsed is passed on to the LTM where it can remain potentially for a lifetime