memory

• The information processing model consists of:

  
  

  • Stage 1: Encoding - converting sensory information into a useable form that can be processed by the brain
  • Stage 2: Storage - the retention of information in memory over a period of time
  • Stage 3: Retrieval - the process of locating and recovering the stored information from memory so we are consciously aware of it
• Sensory memory is a memory store that receives and stores an unlimited amount of incoming sensory information for a brief time
• Short-term memory is a memory store that has limited capacity and is active for a short period of time.
• Long-term memory is relatively permanent and holds huge amounts of information for a long time, possibly lifelong.
• Explicit memories are consciously and intentionally recalled. Can be otherwise known as "declarative" as it tends to be expressed as words or symbols, and are easily verbalised.
• Implicit memories are incoming fleeting sensory information that is unconscious and unintentionally recalled. Includes the memory of stored routines and emotional responses. Can be difficult to verbalise.
• Semantic memory is the declarative memory of facts or knowledge about the world.
• Episodic memory is the declarative memory of personal experiences, memories of events in your life.
• Procedural memory is the knowledge of skills, habits or actions, the "how to".
• Conditioned emotional responses are learned emotional reactions in response to a stimulus or event that you have formed an association with. Considered implicit as you cannot control the experience of fear or excitement when exposed to the associated stimulus.
• Hippocampus: in the temporal midbrain and is involved in the formation of long-term explicit memories and their transfer to the cerebral cortex for storage.
• Amygdala: structure deep in the temporal midbrain attached to the cerebellum, involved in emotional reactions and the formation of emotional memories particularly relating to fear. Responsible for the regulation of emotions such as fear and aggression, and for encoding implicit memories to do with emotion.
• Neocortex: the top layer of the cerebral cortex and is involved in high-order mental processes, is the part of the brain that stores long-term memories. Split in the two hemispheres, memories usually permanently stored where the sensory input was first processed.
• Basal ganglia: group of structures within the cerebral hemispheres involved in motor movement, procedural memory and learning. Responsible for encoding of implicit memory related to habits by associating movement with reward or reinforcement. Also responsible for the planning and control of fine motor control relating to a sequence of goal-directed behaviour.
• Cerebellum: at the base of the brain, coordinates timing and fluency of movements, encodes and temporarily stores implicit memories of simple conditioned reflexes.