Memory is the cognitive system that lets you encode, store, and retrieve information for later use. The Atkinson-Shiffrin model breaks this down into three stages: a fleeting sensory register, an active short-term working memory, and a long-term memory that lasts more or less permanently. Once you understand these stages, the whole story of how information gets acquired and retained starts to make sense.
Entrance exams lean heavily on the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, especially the specific durations and capacities of each memory stage, so those numbers deserve a spot on your flashcards. Students often mix up working memory with short-term memory, and the fix is simple: working memory emphasizes actively manipulating information, while short-term memory in the strict sense is mostly temporary storage. You should also be ready to tell the two sensory registers apart: iconic is visual, and echoic is auditory.
Part of Basic Psychology, module “Memory”. Sign in (free) to read the full notes, flashcards and the lesson quiz.