The Multistore Memory model was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in the year 1968
They theorised that human memory was made up of THREE components -
Each of these three components are categorised by HOW LONG each component can hold information (duration) and HOW MANY units of information it can hold at a time (capacity). In order for information to progress from one memory store to another, certain conditions must be met.
The SENSORY MEMORY STORE , also known as the sensory register, does not process information. It’s function is to DETECT information and hold it until it either progresses to the Short Term Memory Store, or is forgotten/lost. Sensory memory consists of stores for each modality, aka one of each of your five senses: VISUAL, AUDITORY, OLFACTORY, GUSTATORY, AND TACTILE
However, Atkinson and Shiffrins research mostly focused on ICONIC memory produced from visual inputs (eyeconic, from visuals lol) and ECHOIC memory, from auditory input (echoic made from sound)
The capacity of sensory memory is limited to what we see, hear, etc and perceive at any moment. It is theorised to be unlimited but transient. (impermanent)
The duration of sensory memory is the most limited of the three, as Iconic Memory DECAYS after just one second (not so iconic LMAO KNEE SLAPPER) and Echoic Memory only minimally longer at 2-5 seconds.
In order to PROGRESS to short term memory, Attention must be given to the information, and when any information/memory is given to Short-Term memory, it does not decay.
After attention is given to information, it progresses into the SHORT TERM MEMORY STORE, where it can undergo primitive transformations, for example, if you see a word, you will consciously subvocally (inner voice) pronounce it (attention being given) it will enter the short term memory store acoustically. So essentially, when you intake sensory information and give it attention, it doesnt matter what sense it is as it usually connects to another modality to be remembered.
The capacity of short term memory is theorised by Millers Magic Number, where his study of asking individuals to memorise a string of numbers, where the next round each number increased by one digit (THE GAME MISS SUBARNA PLAYED WITH US), Miller found that we can store 5-9 items, where he made the magic number 7, and humans can hold plus or minus 7 chunks of information at a time.
The duration of short term memory is usually dependent on the modality or sensory information given attention to, but generally lasts up to 30 seconds (like yo man in bed OHHH HALF A MINUTE), but if left unattended will be forgotten within the time period. In order for the memory to PROGRESS to the Long-Term memory store, it must be Rehearsed, and the process of Rehearsing memory is known as Rehearsal - Rehearsal could be repeating words over and over, replaying a memory and mental images, or actively recalling the information to use it. Once this is done, it stays in the STM store a little longer, and as rehearsal increases will FINALLY be transferred to LONG TERM MEMORY.
After REHEARSAL, the information / memory transfers from the Short Term Memory store, to the Long Term Memory Store, and the information is Committed To Memory. (Think of it like a marriage, the Rehearsal in Short Term Memory is dating, and the longer you date, the more you like the person, so you COMMIT them to marriage, where they will stay with you longer)