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The multi-store model (MSM) was proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968). It is one of the most influential models of memory in psychology and describes memory as a linear process flowing through three distinct stores: the sensory register, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM).
The MSM proposes that information passes through memory in a fixed sequence:
Sensory Input → Sensory Register → (Attention) → Short-Term Memory → (Rehearsal) → Long-Term Memory
Each store differs in terms of encoding, capacity, and duration:
| Feature | Sensory Register | Short-Term Memory | Long-Term Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encoding | Modality-specific (visual, auditory, etc.) | Mainly acoustic | Mainly semantic |
| Capacity | Very large (all sensory input) | Limited (7 ± 2 items) | Potentially unlimited |
| Duration | Very brief (< 1 second visual, 2–4 seconds auditory) | 18–30 seconds without rehearsal | Potentially a lifetime |
The sensory register is the first store in the MSM. It receives information from the senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell). There is a separate sensory store for each sense:
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