Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The evolution of the various explanations or models of memory occur in the following sequence:
(A) Multistore
(B) Working memory
(C) Level of processing
(D) Interference

Correct option is A

The correct answer is D, A, C, B.
1. The Interference Theory (D), which suggests that memory is affected by the presence of other competing information, was one of the earliest concepts discussed in memory models.
2. The Multistore Model (A) by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) introduced the idea of memory as a series of stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
3. The Level of Processing (C) theory, proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972), moved the focus away from the stages of memory and instead emphasized how deeply information is processed during encoding.
4. The Working Memory Model (B), proposed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974), expanded on the concept of short-term memory by introducing the idea of working memory as a system responsible for temporarily storing and manipulating information.

Information Booster

1. Interference Theory (D):
1.1 The Interference Theory suggests that forgetting occurs due to the interference of other information in memory.
1.2 There are two types of interference: proactive interference (when old information interferes with the learning of new information) and retroactive interference (when new information interferes with the recall of old information).
1.3 Interference was one of the early theories about memory retention and forgetting, focusing on how competing information can hinder the retrieval process.

2. Multistore Model (A):
2.1 The Multistore Model of memory, proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), describes memory as a series of stores: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
2.2 This model emphasizes that information must pass through each of these stores in sequence before it is encoded in long-term memory.
2.3 The Multistore Model suggests that memory operates like a computer, with distinct stages through which information is processed.

3. Level of Processing Theory (C):
3.1 The Level of Processing Theory, proposed by Craik and Lockhart (1972), challenged the Multistore Model by suggesting that the depth at which information is processed determines how well it is remembered.
3.2 According to this theory, deeper processing (such as semantic encoding) leads to better retention, while shallow processing (such as rote rehearsal) results in poorer memory.
3.3 This theory emphasizes the importance of how we process information, rather than simply storing it in a particular location in memory.

4. Working Memory Model (B):
4.1 The Working Memory Model, developed by Baddeley and Hitch (1974), replaced the earlier concept of short-term memory.
4.2 This model suggests that short-term memory is a dynamic system with several subsystems: the central executive, which controls attention and coordinates information, and the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer, which store and process different types of information.
4.3 The Working Memory Model introduced the idea that memory is not a passive store but an active system that manipulates and holds information temporarily while performing cognitive tasks.