8.1 How Memory Functions
3 min read•june 24, 2024
Memory is a complex cognitive process that shapes our experiences and knowledge. It involves , storing, and retrieving information through various stages and types. Understanding how memory works can help us improve our learning and abilities.
is divided into procedural and declarative types. handles skills and habits, while stores facts and events. These systems work together to form our comprehensive knowledge base and influence our daily lives and decision-making.
Memory Functions and Stages
Core functions of memory
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- Encoding converts sensory information into a form that can be stored in memory involves attention and perception
- converts visual sensory information (images, scenes) into memory
- converts auditory sensory information (sounds, words) into memory
- converts the meaning of sensory information (concepts, ideas) into memory
- retains encoded information in memory over time involves different stages (sensory, short-term, and long-term) requires which stabilizes memory traces
- is the process of stabilizing a after initial acquisition
- accesses stored information from memory involves recall and
- Recall retrieves information from memory without cues (remembering a phone number)
- Recognition identifies previously encountered information with cues (recognizing a face)
Stages of memory storage
- briefly stores sensory information for less than a second has a large capacity
- is visual sensory memory (afterimage of a bright light)
- is auditory sensory memory (echo of a loud noise)
- (STM) has a limited capacity of 7 ± 2 items lasts 15-30 seconds without rehearsal maintained by rehearsal
- actively manipulates information in STM (mental math)
- Long-term memory (LTM) has a virtually unlimited capacity and potentially permanent duration requires encoding and consolidation retrieval can be affected by interference and forgetting
- The illustrates how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to actively retrieve it
Types of Long-Term Memory
Procedural vs declarative memory
- Procedural memory stores skills and habits is implicit and unconscious acquired through practice and repetition
- Examples include riding a bike, typing, playing an instrument
- Declarative memory stores facts and events is explicit and conscious can be verbally declared has two subtypes
- stores general knowledge and facts not tied to specific personal experiences
- Examples include capital cities (Washington D.C.), historical dates (July 4, 1776), vocabulary
- stores personal experiences and events tied to a specific time and place includes autobiographical details
- Examples include your first day of school, your last birthday party, a memorable vacation
- stores general knowledge and facts not tied to specific personal experiences
Memory Disorders and Phenomena
- Amnesia is a condition characterized by significant memory loss
- involves the loss of memories formed before a specific event or time
- involves the inability to form new memories after a specific event or time
- occurs when previously consolidated memories become labile upon retrieval and require restabilization
- are recollections that feel real but are fabricated or distorted
Key Terms to Review (26)
Acoustic Encoding: Acoustic encoding is the process of storing information in memory based on the sound or pronunciation of words. It involves the conversion of auditory information into a form that can be stored and retrieved in the memory system.
Anterograde Amnesia: Anterograde amnesia is a type of memory impairment where individuals have difficulty forming new memories, or encoding information, after a certain point in time, usually following a brain injury or other neurological condition. This term is closely related to how memory functions, the parts of the brain involved with memory, and problems with memory.
Consolidation: Consolidation is the process by which new memories become stabilized and integrated into long-term storage within the brain. It is a crucial step in the formation of lasting memories, allowing information to be retained and retrieved over time. This term is particularly relevant in the context of understanding how memory functions and the specific brain regions involved in the memory process.
Declarative Memory: Declarative memory refers to the conscious recollection of facts, events, and experiences. It is the type of memory that allows us to recall and verbalize specific information, in contrast to procedural memory which involves the unconscious recall of skills and procedures.
Echoic Memory: Echoic memory is a sensory memory system that briefly stores auditory information, allowing us to retain the immediate sounds we have just heard. It is a crucial component of the memory process, providing a temporary buffer that enables us to comprehend and make sense of the continuous stream of auditory input we encounter.
Encoding: Encoding is the process of converting information into a form that can be stored and retrieved by the memory system. It involves the initial registration and processing of sensory input, which allows the brain to create a mental representation of the information that can be maintained and recalled later.
Episodic Memory: Episodic memory refers to the autobiographical, personal recollection of specific events, experiences, and the contextual details associated with them. It is a type of declarative memory that allows individuals to remember past events and situations they have experienced firsthand.
False Memories: False memories refer to recollections of events or experiences that did not actually occur. They are distorted or fabricated memories that the individual believes to be true, despite the lack of factual evidence to support them. This term is particularly relevant in the context of how memory functions and the problems that can arise with memory.
Forgetting Curve: The forgetting curve is a graphical representation of the decline in memory retention over time. It illustrates how information is quickly forgotten after initial learning, unless active steps are taken to reinforce and retain that knowledge.
Iconic Memory: Iconic memory is a type of sensory memory that briefly stores visual information, allowing us to retain an image-like representation of the visual stimuli we encounter. It is the first stage of visual information processing and plays a crucial role in how we perceive and remember the world around us.
Long-Term Memory: Long-term memory is the ability to store and retrieve information over an extended period, ranging from minutes to years. It is a crucial component of the human memory system, allowing us to maintain and recall a vast array of experiences, knowledge, and skills that shape our understanding of the world and guide our behaviors.
Memory Consolidation: Memory consolidation is the process by which newly acquired information is transformed into a more stable and long-lasting form of memory. It involves the strengthening and stabilization of neural connections and pathways, allowing memories to be stored and retrieved more efficiently over time. This term is crucial in understanding how memory functions, the problems associated with memory, and ways to enhance memory.
Memory Reconsolidation: Memory reconsolidation is the process by which a previously consolidated memory becomes labile (unstable) and can be modified or updated with new information. This dynamic process allows memories to be revised and adapted over time, rather than remaining fixed and unchangeable.
Memory Trace: A memory trace, also known as an engram, refers to the physical or biological changes in the brain that occur when a memory is formed. It is the underlying neural representation of a memory that allows the brain to store and retrieve information over time.
Procedural Memory: Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory that stores information about how to perform certain skills or actions. It is the memory of procedures, or the memory of how to do things, such as riding a bike, playing an instrument, or tying a shoelace. Procedural memory is closely related to the stages of sleep, how memory functions, and the parts of the brain involved in memory formation and retrieval.
Recall: Recall is the ability to retrieve information that has been previously encoded and stored in memory. It is a crucial component of memory that allows individuals to access and bring to mind past experiences, knowledge, or learned information when needed.
Recognition: Recognition is the ability to identify or perceive something as familiar, often through the process of matching current sensory information with stored memories. It is a crucial component of memory function, allowing individuals to identify and respond to previously encountered people, objects, or experiences.
Retrieval: Retrieval is the process of accessing and recalling information stored in memory. It is a crucial component of the memory system, allowing individuals to actively retrieve and use the knowledge and experiences they have encoded and stored previously.
Retrograde Amnesia: Retrograde amnesia is a form of memory impairment where an individual loses the ability to recall information or events that occurred before a particular point in time, usually before a brain injury or trauma. This type of amnesia is closely related to the concepts of how memory functions and the problems that can arise with memory.
Semantic Encoding: Semantic encoding is the process of encoding information into memory based on its meaning or significance, rather than its physical characteristics or appearance. This type of encoding focuses on the conceptual understanding of information, allowing for deeper, more meaningful storage and retrieval of memories.
Semantic Memory: Semantic memory refers to our general knowledge about the world, including facts, concepts, and meanings of words. It is a part of our long-term memory that stores our accumulated knowledge and understanding, independent of the specific experiences or events in which that knowledge was acquired.
Sensory Memory: Sensory memory is the initial, immediate memory of sensory information. It is the first stage of memory that briefly stores information from the senses, including sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, before it is processed further or forgotten. Sensory memory is critical for perceiving and understanding the world around us.
Short-Term Memory: Short-term memory is the temporary storage and processing of information that we are currently aware of or thinking about. It is a limited capacity system that holds information for a brief period, typically less than a minute, before it is either forgotten or transferred to long-term memory.
Storage: Storage refers to the process of retaining information in the memory system for future use. It is a crucial component of the memory function, allowing individuals to hold onto and access learned information as needed. In the context of 8.1 How Memory Functions and 8.2 Parts of the Brain Involved with Memory, storage plays a vital role in the overall process of memory formation and retrieval.
Visual Encoding: Visual encoding is the process by which visual information is transformed and represented in the brain. It involves the conversion of physical stimuli from the environment into neural signals that can be processed and interpreted by the visual system.
Working Memory: Working memory is a cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information necessary for complex cognitive tasks. It is a crucial component of cognition, allowing us to store and process information in the present moment, which is essential for activities like problem-solving, decision-making, and learning.