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Information Processing Model
Attention
Memory
Decision Making
Heuristics
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Information Processing Model

Most information processing models envision the basic components of human memory as:

  • Sensation - Each sensory system has a corresponding sensory memory or register for brief sensory information storage. Capacity is basically unlimited, but is restricted by a duration of 2 seconds or less.
  • Short-Term Memory - Some models also term this Working Memory. This memory area receives information from the sensory storage areas and processes it for input into long-term memory. It also retrieves information from long-term memory and processes it for response output determination or return to long-term storage. Short-term/working memory capacity is limited to 7 + 2 bits of information. Its duration is very short (18 to 20 seconds) unless information is purposefully rehearsed or otherwise coded. This is our temporary work space. Information must be processed here in order to reach long-term memory.
  • Long-Term Memory - Long-term memory storage capacity is unlimited for practical purposes. Information is received from short-term/working memory for long-term storage (a lifetime). Information retrieval from long-term memory is added by the strength and number of associations with existing memories and memory structures.

 

  
 

 
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