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In the simplest language,
memory can be explained as a 3-container storage device
maintained by a 3-step operational procedure.
The storage device
consists of temporary container, short-term container
and long-term container and the operational procedure
consist of registration, retention and retrieval.
Information enters the
temporary container through the sensory organs (eyes,
ears, hands, nose and tongue). This information is
registered here if attention is paid to it or it is
ignored, if it is not paid any attention. Registered
information is protected from interference by other
incoming sensory information and processed for onward
transmission to the short-term container.
The short-term container
is estimated to have a limited capacity and a limited
time frame. Estimates for capacity vary from 5 to 9
items ( 7 is most common ) and estimates for time-frame
vary from 12 to 30 seconds ( 20 seconds is the most
common ). Information in the short-term container can be
lost due to time factor or can be corrupted due to entry
of similar information. The duration of information can
be increased considerably by subvocally ( mentally )
repeating the information.
The long-term container
has unlimited storage capacity and perpetual time frame.
It can store a wide variety of information that is
totally unrelated and there is no expiry date.
Retention of information
stored in the long-term container depends on how
systematically ( Registration ) the information is
stored and how frequently ( Revision ) the information
is accessed.
Retrieval of information
is based on registration, retention, comprehension,
emotion, uniqueness, usefulness, interval etc. Retrieval
is faster if there is similarity between conditions
existed at the time of registration and at the time of
retrieval. The relationship between information to be
retrieved and other information in the storage, also
contributes faster retrieval.
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