Describe Atkinson & Shiffrin's (1968) Multi Store Memory Model

The Atkinson & Shiffrin Multi Store Model of Memory is a structural model that helps to explain how information is transferred from the environment into our short-term and long-term memory. The model is comprised of 3 components or stores: The sensory store, short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). Firstly, information (environmental imput) picked up by our sensory organs goes into the sensory store, where it stays between 1/4 to 1/2 second. If we pay attention to this information, it is then encoded into short-term memory. Short-term memory comprises of the information we are thinking about consciously at any given time. Information is stored in STM as acoustic ie. sound. According to this model, information in STM has a duration of up to 18 seconds and has a capacity of 7 +/- 2 items. Then, if rehearsed, information is encoded into long-term memory that has an unlimited capacity ie. items stored in long-term memory can potentially remain forever.The Multi Store Model has been highly influential in helping researchers to develop knowledge on how memory is stored. However, the model has been criticised for being too simplistic to fully explain the complexity of STM and LTM. Later models such as the Working Model of Memory have helped to address this issue.