Long-term memory

Definition

Long-term memory is the phase of the memory process where information is stored for an extended period, potentially lasting from days to years or even a lifetime. This type of memory is crucial for learning as it allows individuals to retain knowledge, skills, and experiences beyond the immediate context, making it fundamental in understanding behaviors, cognitive processes, and how learners construct knowledge over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Long-term memory can be divided into explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) memory, with explicit memory further categorized into episodic and semantic memory.
2. The process of encoding information into long-term memory can be influenced by factors such as attention, emotional state, and the use of mnemonic devices.
3. Information stored in long-term memory can be retrieved through various cues and contexts that trigger memories associated with specific experiences.
4. Neuroscientific studies show that the hippocampus plays a critical role in the formation and consolidation of long-term memories.
5. Long-term memory is not fixed; it can change over time due to factors like reconsolidation, which may alter memories upon retrieval.

Review Questions

• How does long-term memory interact with short-term memory during the learning process?
  • Long-term memory and short-term memory work together during learning where information first enters short-term memory for immediate processing. If the information is rehearsed or encoded effectively, it can then transition into long-term memory for more permanent storage. This interaction emphasizes the importance of strategies like repetition and elaboration to enhance retention and retrieval of information over time.
• Discuss the different types of long-term memory and their significance in educational contexts.
  • Long-term memory includes explicit (declarative) and implicit (non-declarative) types. Explicit memory consists of episodic memory, which deals with personal experiences, and semantic memory, which involves general knowledge about the world. Implicit memory refers to skills and procedures learned unconsciously. Understanding these distinctions is significant in educational settings because it helps educators tailor their teaching methods to foster deeper learning and retention by tapping into both types of long-term memory.
• Evaluate the implications of reconsolidation on the reliability of long-term memories in educational settings.
  • Reconsolidation suggests that every time a long-term memory is retrieved, it can be altered before being stored again. This has serious implications in educational settings, especially regarding assessments and recall of learned information. It raises questions about the accuracy of student recollections and the potential for misinformation to affect what they believe they have learned. Educators need to create environments that promote accurate retrieval cues to help students reinforce their learning effectively.

Related terms

Short-term memory: The capacity for holding a small amount of information in an active, readily available state for a brief period, typically seconds to minutes.

Working memory: A system that temporarily holds and manipulates information necessary for complex cognitive tasks such as learning, reasoning, and comprehension.

Retrieval: The process of accessing and bringing into consciousness information stored in long-term memory.