Final answer:
Memory processes information through three stages as per the Atkinson-Shiffrin model: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory (STM), and Long-Term Memory. These stages assist in the encoding, storing, and eventual retrieval of information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stages of Memory
Memory is an intricate system of encoding, storing, and retrieving information, much like the processes of a computer. The Atkinson-Shiffrin model presents the idea of three sequential stages that information passes through to be etched into long-term memory. These stages are:
- Sensory Memory: This is the initial stage where sensory information is stored for a very short period of time. Environmental stimuli are quickly processed here.
- Short-Term Memory (STM): This is the stage that holds information temporarily for analysis and either passes it on to long-term storage or forgets it. It can roughly hold about seven pieces of information at once.
- Long-Term Memory: This final stage is where information is stored indefinitely after being transferred from short-term memory through processes like rehearsal.
The storage of memory involves several structures in the brain, primarily within the medial temporal lobe, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. Understanding these stages and structures is crucial for identifying effective strategies for memory retention and recall.