Atkinson-Shiffrin Three-Stage Model in AP Psychology

Definition

The Atkinson-Shiffrin model is a theory of human memory that posits three distinct stages of information processing - sensory register, short term store, and long term store.

Related terms

Working Memory:

This is a cognitive system that holds information temporarily for processing. It's like the computer's RAM in our analogy.

Rehearsal:

The process of keeping information in short-term memory by mentally repeating it.

Long-Term Potentiation:

A long-lasting increase in synaptic strength between two neurons resulting from their simultaneous activation, which is believed to be a biological mechanism for learning and memory.