|
|
| The flowchart for this theory of memory indicates that all incoming information first passes through Sensory Memory (SM) before it enters ShortTerm Memory (STM). There it can be maintained by rehearsal and either successfully encoded for storage in LongTerm Memory (LTM) or forgotten. In retrieval, the information passes from LTM back to STM, where it enters our consciousness. A summary of the characteristics of each stage of memory is below. |
| SM | STM | LTM | |
| Capacity | Very large | 7 (+/-2) Chunks | Unlimited |
| Maximum Duration | 1 Second | 30 Seconds | Permanent |
| Method of maintaining information | Not possible | Maintenance rehearsal | Elaborative rehearsal and organization |
| Method of retrieving information | Perception | Serial, exhaustive search | Search with retrieval cues |
| Chief cause of forgetting | Decay | Interference and decay | Interference |
| Major information code | Sensory | Acoustic | Semantic |
| Copyright ©2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. Any use is subject to the McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Please visit our Technical support website at http://mhhe.com/support. |
 |