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The Multi Store Model And The Working Memory Model

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"Memory is our ability to encode, store,retain and subsequently recall information and past experiences in the human brain" (Luke Mastin,2010). In this review I am going to focus on the multi store model and the working memory model, which explain in detail how memory works.
The multi-store model (MSM) of memory by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), explains that the memory is made up of three different stores.These are: sensory memory (SM), short term memory(STM) and long term memory(LTM). This model explains how each store works in terms of encoding, duration and capacity.
The SM obtains the information from environmental stimuli through our five senses which are touch,sight,smell,taste and sound. In SM the encoding is either visual,auditory or haptic; duration is ¼ to ½ seconds and the capacity is all sensory experience(McLeod S.A,2007). Attention is essential for the information to transfer to the STM, otherwise it is lost through decay. The information in the STM is mostly encoded acoustically. The diagram below shows us how the information is transferred from one store to another.
According to Miller 's Magic number 7 (1956) most adults can store from 5 to 9 items, therefore STM is known to have a capacity of 7+/-2 items and a duration of up to 18 seconds. The information in this store can be lost through displacement which is replacing the old information with new ones or forgetting it (decay). There are two types of rehearsals. Maintenance rehearsal is not effective
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