The standard memory model describes the process of forming a memory through three stages: 1. Sensory memory encodes events through the senses for 1-2 seconds before the information either fades or moves to short-term memory through paying attention. 2. Short-term memory holds 5-9 items for about 30 seconds before they either fade or move to long-term memory. The total time hypothesis suggests that thinking about an item over multiple sessions increases the chances it will move to long-term memory. 3. Long-term memory seemingly has unlimited capacity and can store memories forever once encoded, though retrieval is needed to determine if information was successfully consolidated into long-term memory.

1. Standard Memory
Model

2. The 'Standard Memory Model'
Process for forming a memory

3. Step 1
• An Event is "ENCODED" via the
senses.
• Vision is the most relied on for
the average person.

4. Holds: about 1 item / sense
Duration: an average of 1-2 seconds
before information goes 1 of 2 places:

5. Option 1: Drops Out /gone
(not a memory)
Option 2: Moves on (gets encoded into
next stage on way to becoming a
memory

6. IF, option 2: Moves on (gets encoded
into next stage on way to becoming a
memory)
You get a bit of control
here. You can "Choose"
option 2 (moving on) by
Paying attention to the
item. Yes, it is that simple,
you "think" about it and it
moves the info into Short-
Term Memory.

7. Holds: 5-9 items at one time
Duration: an average of about 30
seconds before it goes 1 of 2
places....

8. Option 1: drops out/gone
(not a memory)
Option 2: Moves on – gets "encoded" into next
stage on way to becoming a memory

9. IF, option 2: Moves on – gets "encoded" into
next stage on way to becoming a memory
You get little "say" here on what
gets moved on. The best we know
to do is to tap into TOTAL
TIME HYPOTHESIS!

10. TOTALTIME
HYPOTHESIS (TTH)
The longer something is thought about in STM, the
greater the chance it will move to long-term.
In other words, STUDY EARLY
so you can STUDY OFTEN.
If you think about the item a little today, a little
tomorrow, a little the day after, and so on, you are
tapping intoTTH. The INCREASES the chances it will
make it to Long-term.

11. Tap intoTOTALTIME
HYPOTHESIS (TTH)
Put some Effort into it! Write out answers to the Learning Objectives,
Make Flashcards, have someone Quiz you, complete homework, Explain
the concepts to other people, write/type out notes. Do actions as
much/often as possible to be sure what you are studying makes it into
LTM!

12. IF, encoding works, the
info will make it into LTM
(long term memory)
Holds: seemingly as much information as
we can get in (no known capacity)
Duration: with a few exceptions, there is
no "average" time that things say in
LTM. They can stay in there 'forever'

13. NOTYET A
MEMORY!
We can never really be sure that
something made it to LTM without
checking to see if it is in there..... by
quizzing ourselves. Clear your STM from
the item (distracting task for about 2
minutes) then check to see if you can still
access the information. This is called,
RETRIEVAL

14. RETRIEVAL
Go get something you are not currently thinking about from Long-term
storage and bring back to Short –term memory (also known as
conscious thoughts).
Benefits of retrieval:
1) we know if it is in LTM or not
2) the more we retrieve the easier the info is to find in LTM
3)You do great on Psychology 101 exams! (and any other course)

15. The 'Standard Memory Model'
Process for forming a memory