Q: Describe the stage model of memory by Atkinson and Shiffrin.
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The Atkinson and Shiffrin stage model of memory, also known as the multi-store model, suggests that memory consists of three distinct stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. This model, introduced in 1968, describes how information is processed and stored in the brain as follows:
- Sensory Memory: This is the first stage, where sensory information from the environment (such as sights, sounds, and smells) is briefly registered. Sensory memory has a very short duration, lasting only a fraction of a second. However, it has a large capacity for processing all incoming stimuli. If we pay attention to this information, it moves into the next stage; otherwise, it quickly fades away.
- Short-Term Memory (STM): Information selected by attention enters short-term memory, where it can be actively held and manipulated for about 15–30 seconds. STM has a limited capacity, typically around 7±2 items, according to George Miller’s studies. Rehearsal, such as repeating information, helps maintain data in STM longer. Without rehearsal, the information is likely to be displaced or forgotten due to its limited capacity.
- Long-Term Memory (LTM): With adequate rehearsal or encoding strategies, information can be transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory, where it can be stored for an extended period, potentially a lifetime. LTM has an essentially unlimited capacity and can hold vast amounts of information, such as facts, skills, and experiences. Retrieval cues or triggers help bring information back from LTM to STM when needed.
In this model, memory is seen as a linear process, with information flowing sequentially from sensory memory to STM and then to LTM. However, it’s worth noting that more recent research has introduced additional complexities, such as parallel processing and interactions between stages, suggesting memory is more interconnected than initially thought.