The first store of memory is the sensory memory. This 'store' of memory is the first stage in storing and processing information acquired by one's senses; sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Sensory memory stores a literal copy of information for each of our senses which can last from 0.5-2 seconds before being forgotten. Atkinson …show more content…
As the name implies memories that fall into this category can last for a much longer time than in the previously mentioned stores. It was measured by Atkinson and Shiffrin that it usually lasts from a couple of minutes to a lifetime, depending on the memory. Loss of memories from the long-term memory store is possible through interference or decay. Long term memory has to be retrieved back to short-term memory in order for it to be recalled. The mind has to re-live the memory so it can act or talk it out. Long-term memory is extremely important to everyone, as it helps us know who we are and what have experienced. It helps us store valuable information for extremely long periods of time, even if the memory is not complete. The capacity of the LTM is potentially unlimited. However, information in the long-term memory can be lost if not rehearsed.
Within the Long-term memory, there are two types of encoding memory: procedural, also referred to as implicit memory and declarative, fact-based memory which is further categorized into semantic and episodic memory. This type of memory can be consciously described.
Procedural memory is the knowledge of skills, how to do things like riding a bicycle. Procedural memory, is known to not be prone to being forgotten, even after brain damage. Semantic memory is facts, such as remembering names and years, and episodic memory is composed of personal …show more content…
The serial position effect suggests that people remember things better if they are either the first (primacy effect) or last (recency effect) item in a list of things to remember. While the theory is logical it is slightly lacking in detail. The whole system of our memory is far more complicated than only three different stores, a lot more would have to be taken into account to determine how we store memories for a split second and some others for 50 years. The model is significant in psychology because it sparked the new approach to memory where humans are seen as information processors. It has been possible to make predictions based on the model and to design