The MSM of memory, or Multi-Store Model of Memory, is a cognitive psychology model explaining how memory works by proposing three separate memory stores: sensory register, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
The Multi-Store Model, initially proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968, outlines a sequential process for how information is processed and stored in our minds. Here's a breakdown of the three stores:
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Sensory Register (SR): This is the initial stage where sensory information from the environment is briefly held. It has a very large capacity but a short duration (milliseconds to seconds). Information is modality-specific, meaning there's a sensory register for each sense (e.g., iconic memory for visual information, echoic memory for auditory information). Attention is crucial for transferring information from the sensory register to short-term memory.
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Short-Term Memory (STM): Also known as working memory, the STM is where information we are currently aware of and actively processing is held. It has a limited capacity (typically around 7 +/- 2 chunks of information) and a short duration (around 18-30 seconds) unless maintained through rehearsal. Maintenance rehearsal (repeating information) helps to keep information in the STM for longer and can lead to transfer to LTM.
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Long-Term Memory (LTM): This is where information is stored for extended periods, potentially a lifetime. LTM has a virtually unlimited capacity. Information in LTM is organized based on meaning and associations. Retrieval cues are used to access information stored in LTM and bring it back into STM.
Here's a table summarizing the key features of each store:
| Memory Store | Capacity | Duration | Encoding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Register | Very Large | Milliseconds - Seconds | Modality-Specific |
| Short-Term Memory | 7 +/- 2 chunks | 18 - 30 Seconds | Primarily Acoustic |
| Long-Term Memory | Virtually Unlimited | Potentially Lifetime | Primarily Semantic |
In summary, the Multi-Store Model proposes a sequential process: Sensory input is briefly held in the sensory register; if attended to, it moves to short-term memory; and with rehearsal, it can be transferred to long-term memory for permanent storage.
