short term memory

stm

receives info from sensory memory and transfers info to and from ltm

• mental manipulation takes place

• conscious awareness for limited use

• 12-30 secs

• 5-9 pieces of info - limited

increasing capacity

chunking

grouping of seperate bits of info into one of more larger units or chunks of into

increasing duration

rehearsal

conscious processing of info to maintain it for an extended period of time or to encode for deeper level for storage

maintenance rehearsal

simple repetition of info, stays in stm longer .

elaborative rehearsal

links old info to new memories and gives meaning to info

strengths of maintenance rehearsal

• allows info to be stored in stm longer than 12-30 secs

• good for remembering useless info

limitations of maintenance rehearsal

• easily interrupted by new info or old info from ltm

• doesnt add understanding

• restricts entry of new info into stm

strengths of elaborative rehearsal

• increases understanding at a deep level

• adds more detail, increases retrieval chances

• increases chance of long term retention

limitations of elaborative rehearsal

• takes more time than maintenance rehearsal

• requires more conscious effort