PSY 1000C Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Sensory Memory, Procedural Memory, Working Memory
Chapter 5
Memory’s Three Basic Tasks
1. Encoding - requires you to select an event and use your senses to make a preliminary
classification of that stimulus.
2. Storage - involves the retention of encoded material over time.
3. Retrieval - the payoff of your earlier efforts in encoding and storage. Not always
accurate.
Sensory memory -> Working memory <-> long-term memory
Sensory memory typically holds sights, sounds, smells, textures, and other sensory
impressions for a max of a few seconds.
Working memory selectively takes information from the sensory registers and makes connects
with information in the long-term storage.
Long term memory receives information from working memory and can store it for a long time.
The three stages of memory compared
Sensory Memory
Working Memory
Long-Term Memory
Function
Briefly holds
information awaiting
entry into working
memory
Involved in control of
attention
Attaches meaning to
stimulation
Makes associations
among ideas and
events
Long-term storage of
information
Encoding
Sensory images: no
meaningful encoding
Encodes information
(especially by
meaning) to make it
acceptable for
long-term storage
Stores information in
meaningful mental
categories.
Storage capacity
12-16 items
7+,- 2 chunks
Unlimited
Duration
From ¼ second to a
few seconds
About 20 seconds
unless repeatedly
rehearsed
Unlimited
Structure
A separate sensory
Central executive
Procedural memory
