Types of human MEMORY

Different types of memory are known that have different implications in our functioning. The knowledge of the different types of memory is very important because it is present in all areas of our lives, even in the simplest actions such as remembering what to buy in the Supermarket. In addition, each type of memory can be stimulated and improved with exercises of a different nature and if we are aware of what it is. the memory that we use the most or which is the memory that we have the least worked on, we can stimulate it to make a more productive use of is.

Among the different types of memory we can find short-term or long-term memory, sensory and operational memory, among others. If you are interested in knowing the fundamentals of each type of memory, continue reading this article from Psychology-Online: types of human memory.

Index

1. Phases of memory
2. Memory types
3. Sensory memory
4. Work memory
5. Short term memory
6. Long term memory

Memory is understood as the maintenance of a certain learning, sustained over time from its storage and retrieval when necessary. In order for the memory to execute this process, different steps must be established. The phases of memory are encoding, storage, and retrieval. The stages of memory are explained below:

1. Coding: in the coding phase, the person receives a set of external inputs, which are processed and transformed into verbal, visual and / or sensory codes to which we attribute a meaning.
2. Storage: once the information received has obtained a meaning, in this phase it is stored, being retained in the brain. Its retention may be different depending on the type of memory used, for example if it is short-term will be evoked earlier than if it is long-term, whose message will be stored for more weather.
3. Recovery: this phase of memory consists of extracting the information that has previously been given meaning and stored, that is, we recover the information that is stored in our memories.

Memory types are grouped dichotomously based on their characteristics. The types of memory depend on the variable used to do the classification. The most frequent classifications are memory grouping based on temporality, encoding format, and memory based on the type of information stored.

The types of memory based on their temporality, refers to short-term memory (MCP) and long-term memory (MLP). These differ in the storage and retrieval phases, where short-term memory is stored and retrieved for a short period of time, while long-term memory is held in time.

On the other hand, we can find different memory types depending on the encoding format of information, between sensory memory and verbal memory. In sensory memory, the information received is encoded and understood through the senses, making reference to visual, olfactory, auditory and visuospatial memory. At the other pole, we find verbal memory, which encodes information in the form of words, whether oral or written.

Finally, another grouping of the types of memory is supported according to the type of information of learning, giving rise to episodic, semantic and procedural memory.

• Episodic memory: refers to the memory of specific events, such as remembering what we did yesterday or what we ate at night. The content of the information stored is personal and / or biographical, that is why it is also known as biographical memory.
• Semantic memory: its content is the stored knowledge about facts and concepts, of a cultural nature or about world knowledge, as well as the understanding of the meaning of words and vocabulary. For example, a semantic memory would be to remember in what year World War II ended.
• Procedural memory: corresponds to the storage of our abilities and skills, for example we do not forget to ride a bicycle once we have already learned or to tie our shoes.

In sensory memory we welcome external stimuli perceived from our senses. However, the encoded information of these external inputs maintains a short storage life. It is then deleted, forgotten or transferred to other types of memory that allow its storage to last longer. Thus, its operation is transitory, to be stored later in the memory system in the short or long term.

Sensory memory is that which allows us to follow the thread of a movie, read a book or have a conversation, a set of automatic actions related to this type of memory. Sensory memory has received its division into iconic, haptic, and echoic memory.

• Iconic memory: this type of sensory memory records the information that comes from the sense of sight, retaining the images that are associated with a given object for a short period of time.
• Haptic memory: just as iconic memory refers to visual inputs, haptic memory processes stimuli that come from the sense of touch, registering inputs that refer to pain, itching or heat, among others. It is known that its retention is more durable than that of iconic memory.
• Echoic memory: this type of memory is very powerful and refers to the information perceived by the hearing. Its storage is of short duration, as in iconic memory and it is very important because it allows us to understand the language and to be able to carry on a conversation.

Working memory is also known as working memory. This type of memory refers to the mechanism that allows us to store and manipulate saved information, as well as associating the stored information with other ideas that come in with new inputs. So it operates on the most complex cognitive actions, such as language comprehension and reading, learning or reasoning, planning or logical-mathematical skills. Information stored in working memory is located below short-term memory. However, although its storage is short-lived, it is constantly updated. If you want to stimulate this cognitive ability, you can perform games to improve memory.

Short-term memory is conceived as a type of memory with limited capacity in its retention of stored information, that is, the inputs that we have received are retained for a short period of time, which is not more than 30-40 seconds. Short-term memory has the ability to remember 6-7 items and as we have already commented, these will be retained in a short period of time. However, if the information is repeated or manipulated, it can be stored in another type of memory, such as long-term memory. This is the memory most susceptible to deterioration, but there are also strategies to improve short-term memory.

As we have previously commented, the dichotomy of short-term and long-term memory differ in its temporality, long-term memory being understood as the type of memory that has the capacity from encode and retain information for a longer period of time, being able to be retained in a temporality of seconds to years. The episodic, semantic and / or procedural memories, previously exposed, are kept in long-term memory, allowing us to Over time we can remember our own cultural facts or abilities, which would be some examples of long-term memory.

If you want to know how your memory is going, you can do this memory test.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Types of human memory, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.

• Aguado-Aguilar, L (2001). Learning and memory. Rev. Neurolo, 32, 372-381.
• Areiza, R & Henao, L.M. (2015). Long-term memory and reading comprehension. Human Sciences, 18, 12.
• Arteaga, G. and Pimienta, H. (2006). Operating memory and cortical circuits. Rev Fac Med Univ Nac Colomb, 54, 248-268.
• Gramunt, N. (2001). Standardization and validation of a memory test in normal aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sports Sciences, Blanquerna. Ramón Llull University. 302 p.