Describe the modal model of memory: sensory memory, short-term/working memory, and long-term memory.

• A. Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information; short-term/working memory holds and manipulates information; long-term memory stores durable information.
• B. Short-term memory briefly holds sensory information; sensory memory holds and manipulates information; long-term memory stores durable information.
• C. Long-term memory briefly holds sensory input; working memory stores general knowledge; sensory memory stores current task details.
• D. Sensory memory is a permanent store; short-term memory can store unlimited amounts; long-term memory is a scratchpad.

Answer: (A)

The modal model describes memory as three separate stores with distinct roles and time scales. Sensory memory preserves incoming sensory information for a very brief moment, just long enough to notice what’s important and decide what to pass on. Each sense has its own register, and its duration is extremely short—moments for visual input and a few seconds for auditory input—so we don’t overwhelm the system with every detail.

Short-term or working memory is where information we’re consciously attending to is held and actively manipulated. It has limited capacity, often cited as about seven items, and information stays there for a short time unless we actively rehearse or encode it. This is the stage where you need to hold a phone number in mind long enough to dial it or keep a problem in mind while solving it.

Long-term memory stores information for extended periods, potentially for life, and it has a vast capacity. Through encoding and consolidation, information moves from short-term to long-term storage, where it can be retrieved later. This is where factual knowledge, personal experiences, and learned skills reside.

So the statement captures the core idea: sensory memory briefly holds sensory input, short-term/working memory holds and manipulates information, and long-term memory stores information durably.