Memory

• Memory


  A set of psychobiological systems and processes that allow our past experiences to inform how we respond to and interpret our current experiences and to imagine the future
• Process of memory

  1. Encoding - conversation (taking in) of information into a useable form so it can be neurologically represented (placed) and stored in memory
• Process of memory

  2. Storage - retention of the encoded information overtime
• Process of memory

  3. Retrieval - recovery of stored information and bringing into conscious awareness for use when we need
• Sensory memory

  A type of memory that holds sensory information in a raw form for very short periods of time
• Iconic (visual)

  • Very large - holds all sensory experiences briefly and therefore assumed to have unlimited capacity
  • Duration is approx 0.2 - 0.5 seconds
  • Encoding based on physical properties of the stimulus held in raw form
• Echoic (auditory)

  • Very large - holds all sensory experiences briefly and therefore assumed to have unlimited capacity
  • Duration is approx 3 - 4 seconds
  • Encoding based on physical properties of the stimulus held in raw form
• Short term memory (STM)

  Active store that holds all information you are consciously aware of at any moment
• Short term memory (STM)

  • Information can be lost through decay (not being used and fading away when not rehearsed)
  • Lost thorough displacement (STM is "full" new items only added by pushing old items away)
• Short term memory (STM)

  • Capacity is 7 plus or minus 2 bits of info (can be increased by chunking)
  • Duration is approx 15 - 30 seconds (can increase with maintenance rehearsal)
• Long term memory (LTM)


  Relatively permanent, limitless, passive storage system
• Long term memory (LTM)

  • Capacity is relatively unlimited
  • Duration is lifelong
• Types of LTM

  Explicit - consciously recalled memories of facts or personally experiences events
• Types of LTM

  Implicit - Unconscious recall of memories of how to do something
• Types of LTM

  Explicit semantic - facts and concepts (definitions)
• Types of LTM


  Explicit episodic - events from our lives (birthdays)