Exploring the Atkinson and Shiffrin's Cognitive Memory Structure
The Atkinson-Shiffrin model of memory, first published in 1968 by psychologists Richard C. Atkinson and Richard M. Shiffrin, offers a simplified yet insightful perspective on how our memory functions. This model, also known as the three-store model, divides memory into three distinct storage areas: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
Sensory memory is the first stage of the model, receiving a large amount of information from all five senses. However, sensory memory does not last very long unless you pay attention to a particular detail or set of information. This stage acts as a buffer, holding information for a fraction of a second before it moves on to the next stage.
Short-term memory (STM) has a small capacity and lasts for a very short amount of time, usually around 20-30 seconds. Memories move from sensory memory to STM through the process of attention. To extend the amount of time you remember something in STM, you can use techniques such as rehearsal. Memories given more meaning in STM can be transferred to LTM. Continued rehearsal and attachment of meaning to the memory make retrieval easier.
LTM allows you to remember different events in your life and other important information. It has an unlimited capacity and duration. Memories move from STM to LTM through several control processes, including coding, rehearsal, and retrieval.
While the Atkinson-Shiffrin model has held up relatively well since its publication, critics argue it is overly simplistic and too linear. Some suggest the model forms a basis for other theories on memory to build on. For instance, the multistore model makes a distinction between short and long-term memory, but some criticize this distinction.
One such theory is the Working Memory model, suggested by Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch, which explains how Short-Term Memory works and stores information, suggesting several different components work together to form a memory.
Current research into memory continues to provide one possible basis for how it works, but efforts are ongoing to understand more about the process. For example, you likely can recite your phone number because you have attached a strong meaning to it. On the other hand, the Pythagorean theorem or other mathematical principles may start to be forgotten if they are not practiced or retrieved regularly.
The Atkinson-Shiffrin model asserts that these storage areas are structural or permanent, meaning they cannot be changed or influenced. However, recent findings suggest that memory is not entirely fixed and can be modified through experiences and learning.
In conclusion, the Atkinson-Shiffrin model provides a foundational understanding of memory, dividing it into three distinct storage areas. While it may not be the final word on memory, it serves as a stepping stone for further research and the development of more comprehensive theories.
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