Final answer:
The question discusses a debate within reading science regarding a weakness in short-term memory, possibly related to timings and speed or a deficit in the orthographic processing system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the issues within short-term memory and long-term memory processes, specifically concerning a debated weakness in reading science. Some experts believe this weakness to be related to processing timings and processing speed, while others think it's a deficit in the orthographic processing system, affecting the storage and recall of letter sequences. Short-term memory has a limited capacity to retain information actively for a brief period, where factors like memory trace decay and interference play a significant role in memory retention. Peterson and Peterson's research showed how rapid loss of memory can occur with just an 18-second delay, highlighting the effect of decay over time. Contrastingly, Keppel and Underwood's study provided insights on how proactive interference can affect memory retention as well.
Long-term memory, on the other hand, has virtually unlimited storage capacity and encompasses memories that last beyond a few minutes. Information in long-term memory must be consolidated, a process which can take from a few hours to weeks or more, depending on whether synaptic or systems consolidation is occurring. The organization of long-term memory is complex, including semantic encoding of word meanings and concepts in our language-based knowledge. Memory models, like Baddeley and Hitch's working memory model, describe short-term memory as comprising multiple components, such as the visuospatial sketchpad, episodic buffer, and phonological loop. The central executive is thought to oversee the flow of information within these components, influencing the encoding into long-term memory.
Memory processes are intricate and subject to a variety of errors and constraints. For instance, the Atkinson-Shiffrin model and the working memory model provide frameworks for understanding how memories are formed, stored, and retrieved, capturing the dynamic nature of our cognitive processes.