A framework within cognitive psychology, this concept delineates memory as being comprised of separate storage components. Information initially enters through sensory input and is held briefly. If attended to, this information transfers to a short-term store with limited capacity and duration. Through rehearsal and encoding, information from the short-term store can then be transferred to a long-term store, which possesses potentially unlimited capacity and indefinite duration. This representation allows for the conceptualization of memory processing as a sequential flow between distinct structural components.
The significance of this approach lies in its provision of a foundational model for understanding memory processes. It highlights the importance of attention, rehearsal, and encoding in memory formation. Its historical context is rooted in early attempts to explain memory function beyond simple associationistic principles, providing a structured explanation that spurred further research into specific memory systems and processes. It serves as a crucial stepping stone in the development of more complex models and theories of memory.
