The Levels of Processing Model proposed that the depth of mental processing affects memory retention, such that deeper, semantic processing leads to longer-lasting memories compared to more shallow processing. Deeper processing involves relating information to prior knowledge or analyzing its meaning and importance, while shallow processing focuses only on physical or acoustic characteristics. The model helped shift the view of memory from simple storage to a complex processing system and explains why some information is remembered better than others. However, it does not clearly define "depth" of processing and does not explain the underlying mechanisms.