5A: Atkingson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory

What is encoding in memory?

Encoding is the initial learning of information.

What is storage in memory?

Storage is maintaining information over time.

What is retrieval in memory?

Retrieval is the ability to access information when needed.

What does the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model describe?

It describes three separate but simultaneous stores (sensory, short-term, long-term) that allow encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

What is sensory memory?

A very brief memory store where information enters first and may transfer to short-term memory if attention is paid.

What is short-term memory?

A limited store of actively conscious memory; information here may be encoded into long-term memory.

What is long-term memory?

A virtually limitless store of information requiring retrieval to bring memories back into conscious awareness.

What are the two types of sensory memory?

Iconic memory (visual) and echoic memory (auditory).

What is iconic memory?

Temporary storage of visual information for a very brief time.

What is echoic memory?

Temporary storage of auditory information detected from the environment.

What is the function of sensory memory?

To retain information detected by the senses long enough for it to be attended to and transferred to STM.

What is the capacity of sensory memory?

Very large, as it can detect all environmental stimuli.

What is the duration of echoic memory?

3–4 seconds, allowing brief retention of sounds for processing.

How long does sensory memory store information?

Extremely briefly, just enough time to identify meaningful information for STM.

What is the function of short-term memory?

To consciously attend to and manipulate information from SM or LTM.

What happens to information in STM?

It is either lost or encoded into long-term memory.

What is the capacity of short-term memory?

Smaller than sensory memory, but can be increased with strategies like chunking.

What is the duration of short-term memory?

About 18–30 seconds unless encoded.

What is long-term memory?

A relatively permanent store with virtually unlimited capacity, essential for everyday functioning.

How does long-term memory store information?

It stores information semantically in interconnected semantic networks.

What is the function of long-term memory?

To store information for future retrieval, organized across different brain areas.

What is the capacity of long-term memory?

Seemingly unlimited.

What is the duration of long-term memory?

Understood to be relatively permanent, though not all memories are guaranteed to last forever.