Understanding Memory: Exploring Memory Models

Memory Models

: Various different types, but one that it often referred to to explain basic memory concepts is the 1968 Atkinson and Shiffrin multi store model.

Image from http://www.simplypsychology.org/multi-store.html

Three stages: Environment Input-Sensory Memory - Short Term memory - Long term memory

Sensory Memory

• Duration: ¼ to ½ second

• Capacity: all sensory experience (v. larger capacity)

• Encoding: sense specific (e.g. different stores for each sense)

Short Term Memory

• Duration: 0-18 seconds

• Capacity: 7 +/- 2 items

• Encoding: mainly auditory

Long Term Memory

• Duration: Unlimited

• Capacity: Unlimited

• Encoding: Mainly Semantic (but can be visual and auditory)


This model has strength and weaknesses for example the fact that many believe it to be oversimplified.

Different types of long-term memory have been identified:  (memories of events), procedural (knowledge of how to do things) and semantic (general knowledge)