Memory

Memory

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Memory Structure

Refers to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model (Sensory, Short-Term, Long-Term Memory) or the anatomical organization, like the hippocampus for consolidation and the cortex for storage.

Sensory Memory: The initial, very brief recording of sensory information in the memory system

Short-Term Memory (STM): A memory system that holds a limited amount of information for a brief period of time

Working Memory: An active memory system that manipulates and processes information for complex cognitive tasks

Central Executive: The component of working memory that coordinates attention and the flow of information

Phonological Loop: The component of working memory responsible for processing verbal and auditory information

Visuospatial Sketchpad: The component of working memory responsible for processing visual and spatial information

Episodic Buffer: The component of working memory that integrates information from different sources into a unified experience

Long-Term Memory (LTM): A memory system that stores information for extended periods, potentially permanently

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Types of Long-Term Memory

Includes Declarative (Explicit) memory (facts and events, like Semantic and Episodic) and Non-Declarative (Implicit) memory (skills and conditioning).

Explicit Memory (Declarative Memory): Memory of facts and events that can be consciously recalled

Implicit Memory (Non-declarative Memory): Memory that influences behavior without conscious awareness

Episodic Memory: Memory of personal experiences and specific events in time

Semantic Memory: Memory of general knowledge, facts, and concepts

Procedural Memory: Memory of how to perform skills and actions

Priming: The implicit memory effect in which exposure to a stimulus influences response to a later stimulus

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Memory Processes

The stages of memory: Encoding (acquisition of information), Storage (retention of information), and Retrieval (accessing stored information).

Encoding: The process of transforming sensory information into a form that can be stored in memory

Storage: The process of maintaining encoded information in memory over time

Retrieval: The process of accessing and bringing stored information into conscious awareness

Consolidation: The process of stabilizing a memory trace after initial acquisition

Reconsolidation: The process by which previously consolidated memories become labile again when recalled

Forgetting: The inability to retrieve or recall information from memory

Interference: The phenomenon in which some memories interfere with the retrieval of other memories (proactive and retroactive)

Retrieval Cue: A stimulus that helps trigger the retrieval of information from memory

Encoding Specificity Principle: The principle that memory is improved when information available at encoding is also available at retrieval

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Memory Phenomena

Observable effects of how memory works, such as the Serial Position Effect (remembering the beginning and end of a list) or Flashbulb Memories (vivid recall of significant events).

Tip-of-the-Tongue (TOT): The phenomenon of being temporarily unable to retrieve information that one knows is stored in memory

Flashbulb Memory: Vivid, detailed memories of significant or emotionally arousing events

Misinformation Effect: The phenomenon in which exposure to misleading information after an event can alter memories of that event

Amnesia: Severe memory loss, including anterograde amnesia (inability to form new memories) and retrograde amnesia (inability to recall past memories)