Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

Atkinson-Shiffrin Model

A theory of memory that describes how information is processed and stored

Sensory memory

• The initial stage where information from the senses (sight, sound, touch, etc.) is briefly held

• Has a very large capacity but a very short duration (lasting only a fraction of a second)

Short-Term Memory (STM)

• Holds information that has been attended to and processed from the sensory register

• Has a limited capacity (typically 5-9 items

• Has a limited duration (around 15-30 seconds) unless information is rehearsed

Long-Term Memory (LTM)

• Where information is stored relatively permanently

• Virtually unlimited capacity

• Transferred from STM through encoding processes (rehearsal, meaningful elaboration, etc.)