Final answer:
The Atkinson-Shiffrin theory identifies three stages of memory: Sensory Memory, which is a temporary storage for sensory input, Short-Term Memory for actively processed information, and Long-Term Memory, where rehearsed information is stored indefinitely.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Atkinson-Shiffrin theory proposes that there are three stages of memory: Sensory Memory, Short-Term Memory, and Long-Term Memory. Sensory Memory acts as a brief storage for sensory input, lasting only a few seconds at max. Short-Term Memory holds information we are actively thinking about at the moment and has a limited capacity and duration. Through the process of rehearsal, information can be transferred to Long-Term Memory, which has an essentially unlimited capacity and duration.
This model suggests that for information to become a part of long-term storage, it must first be noticed in sensory memory, then actively processed in short-term memory. According to Atkinson and Shiffrin, sensory memory registers environmental stimuli for a brief period, allowing one to potentially notice and pay attention to them. Once noticed, these stimuli move into short-term memory, where if rehearsed, they become part of long-term memory for permanent storage, much like saving data on a computer hard drive.