Multi Store Memory Model

Atkinson and Shiffrin's multi-store model describes how information flows through the memory system which is made up of 3 stores. These 3 stores are the sensory register, short term memory and long term memory.

The sensory register consists of those received from our 5 senses. The two main parts are the iconic store - information is coded visually, and the echoic store - information is coded acoustically. The capacity of these stores is very high but their duration is very short - less than half a second. Very little of what goes into the sensory register passes further into the memory system UNLESS you pay attention to it. 

STM has a limited capacity and can handle between 5 and 9 items of information. Information is coded acoustically in STM and lasts around 30 seconds unless it is rehearsed. Rehearsal loop/maintenance rehearsal accurs when we repeat information to ourselves. We can keep the information in our STMs as long as we…