Memory Types to Know for Intro to Brain and Behavior

Memory is a crucial part of how we process and interact with the world. It includes different types, like sensory, short-term, and long-term memory, each playing a unique role in how we learn, recall, and navigate our experiences.

1. Sensory memory

   • Briefly holds sensory information (sights, sounds, etc.) for a fraction of a second.
   • Acts as a buffer for stimuli received through the senses.
   • Allows for the initial processing of sensory input before it is either discarded or transferred to short-term memory.

2. Short-term memory (working memory)

   • Temporarily holds and manipulates information for immediate use, typically lasting 15-30 seconds.
   • Has a limited capacity, often cited as 7±2 items (Miller's Law).
   • Essential for tasks such as problem-solving, reasoning, and comprehension.

3. Long-term memory

   • Capable of storing vast amounts of information for extended periods, from days to a lifetime.
   • Information can be organized and retrieved when needed, often through cues.
   • Divided into explicit and implicit memory systems.

4. Explicit memory (declarative memory)

   • Involves conscious recollection of facts and events.
   • Can be further divided into episodic and semantic memory.
   • Often assessed through recall or recognition tasks.

5. Implicit memory (procedural memory)

   • Involves unconscious retention of skills and tasks, such as riding a bike or playing an instrument.
   • Typically not accessible to conscious awareness and does not require deliberate effort to recall.
   • Often demonstrated through performance rather than verbalization.

6. Episodic memory

   • A subtype of explicit memory that involves personal experiences and specific events, including contextual details.
   • Allows individuals to mentally "travel back in time" to relive past experiences.
   • Important for forming a coherent sense of self and personal history.

7. Semantic memory

   • A subtype of explicit memory that involves general knowledge and facts about the world, independent of personal experience.
   • Includes concepts, meanings, and relationships between ideas.
   • Crucial for language comprehension and communication.

8. Autobiographical memory

   • A blend of episodic and semantic memory that encompasses an individual's life history and personal experiences.
   • Involves memories of significant life events and the emotions associated with them.
   • Plays a key role in identity formation and self-concept.

9. Prospective memory

   • Involves remembering to perform actions in the future, such as appointments or tasks.
   • Can be time-based (remembering to do something at a specific time) or event-based (remembering to do something when a certain event occurs).
   • Essential for effective planning and organization in daily life.

10. Spatial memory

    • Involves the ability to remember the locations of objects, places, and the layout of environments.
    • Critical for navigation and understanding spatial relationships.
    • Often relies on mental maps and can be influenced by environmental cues.