coding and capacity

• duration - the length of time information can be stored in memory
• capacity - the amount of information that can be stored
• coding - memory encoding is a process by which the sensory information is modified and stored in the brain
• types of coding:

  • visual
  • acoustic
  • semantic
• sensory memory - initial contact for stimuli - e.g. iconic and echoic
• short term memory - acoustic
• long term memory - semantic
• SM - has a very large capacity
• STM - has a limited capacity of 7+/-2 items
• LTM - has a potentially unlimited capacity
• SM - less than one second
• STM - approximately 19-30 seconds unless information is rehearsed
• LTM - potentially lasts infinitely